^, 


THE  UIFLE  HAN&ERS; 


ADVENTURES  IN  SOUTHERN  MEXICO 


BY    CAPTAIN    MAYNE    KEID, 

ADTHOB   OF   'IHB   SCALP  nDNTSSS,"    "WHITE  CHIEF,"    "QUADROON,"    "  HTnjTKRS'   FSASB," 
"  WAB  TEAIL,"   ETC.,  KTO. 


Beautifu'Jy  Illustrateii  with  Eight  Original  Designs. 


NEW  YORK: 
ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT, '  PUBLISHER, 

160  A  162  NASSAU  STREET. 


w^ 


PREFACE. 


'  The  following  interesting  volume  is  based  upon  the  various  incidents  and 
personal  adventures  which  befel  the  author  in  his  travels  in  the  flowerv 
lands  of  Mexico,  whither  he  had  betaken  himself  on  the  first  demand  of  hi> 
country  for  volunteers  to  sustain  the  supremacy  of  the  stars  and  stripes— 
which  supremacy  was  most  nobly  vindicated  in  many  a  bloody  field,  in 
all  of  which  the  author  nobly  acquitted  himself. 

The  war  being  ended,  our  gallant  Captain  betook  himself  to  the  contem- 
plation of  the  country  and  its  fair  dames,  among  whom  he  seems  to  have  been 
an  especial  favorite.  His  attentions  to  the  fair  Mexicanas,  though  generally 
received  with  a  sparkling  eye  and  graceful  smile,  in  many  instances  gavf 
umbrage  to  some  proud  noble,  who  scrupled  not  at  any  means  to  remove  a 
formidable  rival  from  his  path.  To  the  narration  of  the  bitter  and  unceasinj: 
vengeance  of  one  of  these  baffled  lovers — ^Dubrosc — and  the  recital  of  the 
hair-breadth  escapes  of  our  author  from  the  many  deep  laid  plans  for  his 
capture,  are  we  indebted  for  the  volume  which  we  present  to  the  American 
reader,  who  we  have  little  doubt  will  be  willing  to  accord  to  Captain  Eeid 
the  same  meed  of  praise  as  has  been  vouchsafed  to  him  in  England,  where 
the  work  was  first  published  under  auspices  as  flattering  as  the  results  were 
^'ratifying — the  book  having  achieved  an  immense  success. 


938161 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER   I. 
An  Adventure  among  the  Creoles  of  New  Orleans       .  .  •  .  13 

CHAPTER   n. 
A  Volunteer  Rendezvous  .......  ^    17 

CHAPTER  m. 
Life  on  the  Island  of  Lobes  .  •  .  .  .  •  •  i    43 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Lieutenant  Sibleys'  Story  of  a  Georgia  Hotel    .  .  .  •  .25 

CHAPTER  V. 
Old  Blowhard's  Story  of  the  Guyas-Cutis  .  .  .  .  ,  .30 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Moonlight  Scene— A  Spy  in  Camp — A  Skeleton  Adventure    «  .  .  .40 

CHAPTER  Vn. 
The  Landing  at  Sacriflcios  .  •  ......    46 

CHAPTER  Vm. 
The  Investment  of  Vera  Cruz      .....••  61 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Major  Blossom       ......••••    66 


VUI  CONTENTS. 

Fags 
CHAPTEE  X. 

Going  on  the  Scout  ••••••.,,    60 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Adventure  with  a  Cayman  ••••••  c  .    64 

CHAPTEE  Xn. 
Don  Cosme  Eosales  •••...  t  ,.    71 

CHAPTER  Xm. 
A  Mexican  Dinner  .  .  .  .  .  ,  ,  ,  .77 

CHAPTEE  xrr. 

A  Subterranean  Drawing-room    .  .  .  .  ,  ,  .  .    83 

CHAPTEE  XV. 
The  Norther  ••••....,.    89 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
A  little  Fair  "Weather  again  .  •...-..    93 

CHAPTEE  XVn. 
the  Scout  continued,  with  a  variety  of  Reflections      .  ,  ,  ,  .97 

CHAPTEE  XVm. 
One  way  of  Taming  a  Bull  .••...,.  100 

CHAPTEE  xrx:. 

A  Brush  with  the  Guerilleroa        •••...,,  105 

CHAPTEE  XX. 
A  Herculean  Feat  ••••.••..  109 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Running  the  Gauntlet       •.....,,.  112 

CHAPTEE  XXn. 
A  Short  Fight  at  "  Long  Shot " 117 


CONTENTS.  li 

CHAPTER  XXm. 
The  Rescue  ......,,..  125 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 
The  Cocuyo 129 

CHAPTER   XXV. 
.jupe  and  Luz         ......••••  134 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 
A  Tough  Night  of  It  after  all 138 

CHAPTER  XXVn. 
The  Light  after  the  Shade 141 

CHAPTER   XXVin. 
A  Disappointment  and  a  new  Plan         .....*.  147 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 
A  Fool-hardy  Adventure  .........  151 

CHAPTER  XXX. 
Help  from  Heaven  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .154 

CHAPTER   XXXI. 
A  Shot  in  the  Dark •  .  .161 

CHAPTER  XXXn. 
Captured  by  Guerilleros  ........  166 

•  CHAPTER   XXXlil. 
A  Blind  Ride 171 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 
A  Stampede  ..........  174 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 
A  Drink  k  la  Cheval  .  . 177 


X  CONTENTS. 

Pag. 

CHAPTER    XXXVI. 
A  a  Odd  way  of  Opening  a  Letter  .  .  .  .  •  .  .180 

CHAPTER    XXXVn. 
The  Cobra  di  Capello 184 

CHAPTER  XXXVm. 
The  Hacienda         .......•••  187 

CHAPTER  XXXTX. 
The  Head-quarters  of  the  Giieirilla         .  .  .  .  •  •  •  193 

CHAPTER  XL. 
Chane's  Courtship  .  .  •  •  •  •  •  .  .  197 

CHAPTER  XLL 
The  Dance  of  the  Tagaroto  .  .  .  .  .  ,  .  .  202 

CHAPTER  XLH. 
A  Kiss  in  the  Dark 206 

CHAPTER  XLHL 
Maria  de  Merced    ........••  210 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 
The  Pursuit ....  214 

CHAPTER   XLV. 
A  new  and  terrible  Enemy  .  .  .  •  •  •  •  .217 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 
A  Rattle  with  Bloodhounds TIO 

CHAPTER  XLVn. 
An  Indian  Ruse      ,.......••  222 

CHAPTER  XLVin. 
A  Coup  d'Eclair ^  •  22a 


CONTENTS.  XJ 

CHAPTEE  XLIX. 
A  Bridge  of  Monkeys        ......••.  22P 

CHAPTER  L. 
The  Jarochos         .......•••  23- 

CHAPTER  LI. 
Padre  Jarauta        .  .  .  .  .  .  •  -  •  '237 

CHAPTER  LH. 
A  Hang  by  the  Heels 243 

CHAPTER  Lm. 
A  very  short  Trial  .  .  . 24P 

CHAPTER  LIV. 
A  Bird's  Eye  View  of  a  Battle 25.'. 

CHAPTER  LV. 
An  odd  way  of  Escaping  from  a  Battle  Field    .  ,  •  •  •  .257 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
A  Wholesale  Capture        .  .  .  .  .  .  •  .  .261 

CHAPTER   LVn. 
A  Duel,  with  an  odd  Ending        ...  •  •  •  .  268 

CHAPTER  LVni. 
An  Adios    .......•••.  273 


THE 


EIFLE    RANGERS 


CHAPTER   I. 

AN  ADVENTCRE  AMONG  THE  CREOLES  OP  NEW  ORLEANS. 

In  the  "  fall"  of  1846, 1  found  myself  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  filling  up 
one  of  those  pauses  that  occur  between  the  chapters  of  an  eventful  life — doing 
nothing.  I  have  said  an  eventful  life.  In  the  retrospect  of  ten  years,  I  could 
not  remember  as  many  weeks  spent  in  one  place.  I  had  traversed  the  conti- 
nent from  north  to  south,  and  crossed  it  from  sea  to  sea.  My  foot  had  pressed 
the  summits  of  the  Andes,  and  climbed  the  Cordilleras  of  the  Sierra  Madre. 
I  had  steamed  it  down  the  Mississippi,  and  sculled  it  up  the  Orinoco.  I  had 
hunted  buffaloes  with  the  Pawnees  of  the  Platte,  and  ostriches  upon  the 
Pampas  of  the  Plata:  to-day  shivering  in  the  hut  of  an  Esquimaux — a  month 
after,  taking  mv  siesta  in  an  aery  couch  under  the  gossamer  frondage  of  the 
Oorozo  palm.  I  had  eaten  raw  meat  with  the  trappers  of  the  Rocky  Moun 
tains,  and  roast  monkey  among  the  Mosquito  Indians  ;  and  much  more,  which 
might  weary  the  reader,  and  which  ought  to  have  made  the  writer  a  wiser 
man.  But,  I  fear,  the  spirit  of  adventure — its  thirst — is  within  me  slakeless. 
[  had  just  returned  from  a  "  scurrj^"  among  the  Comanches  of  Western 
Texas,  and  the  idea  of  "  settling  down"  was  as  far  from  my  mind  as  ever. 
'  What  next  ?  what  next  1"  thought  I.  "  Ila !  the  war  with  Mexico." 
The  war  between  the  United  States  and  that  country  had  now  fairly  com 


14  THE   KIFLE   KANGEKS. 

taenCed.  My  sword,  a  fine  Toledo,  taken  from  a  Spanish  ofiBcer  at  San  Ja« 
cinto,  hung  over  the  mantel,  rusting  ingloriously.  Near  it  were  my  pistols,  a 
pair  of  Colt's  revolvers,  pointing  at  each  other  in  sullen  muteness.  A  warlike 
ardor  seized  upon  me  ;  and  clutching,  not  the  sword,  but  my  pen,  I  wrote  to 
the  War-department  for  a  commission,  and,  summoning  all  my  patience, 
awaited  the  answer. 

But  I  waited  in  vain.  Every  bulletin  from  Washington  exhibited  its  list ; 
but  my  name  appeared  not  among  them.  Epaulettes  gleamed  upon  every 
Hhoulder,  while  I.  with  the  anguish  ef  a  Tantalus,  was  compelled  to  look  idly 
on.  Dispatches  came  in  daily  from  the  seat  of  war,  filled  with  newly-glorioui 
names ;  and  steamers,  from  the  same  quarter,  brought  fresh  batches  of  heroes  j 
some  legless,  some  armless,  and  others  with  a  bullet-hole  through  the  cheek, 
and,  perhaps,  the  loss  of  a  dozen  teeth  or  so ;  but  all  thickly  covered  with 
laurels. 

November  came,  but  no  commission.  Impatienct  and  ennui  had  fairly 
mastered  me.  The  time  hung  heavily  upon  my  hands.  "How  can  I  best 
kill  it  ?    I  will  go  to  the  French  theatre,  and  hear  Calve."* 

Such  were  my  reflections,  as  I  sat  one  evening  in  my  solitary  cnamber.  In 
obedience  to  this  impulse,  I  repaired  to  the  theatre ;  but  instead  of  soothing, 
the  bellicose  strains  of  the  opera  only  heightened  my  warhke  enthusiasm ; 
and  I  walked  homeward,  abusing,  as  I  went,  the  President  and  the  Secretary 
of  War,  and  the  whole  department.  "  I  have  '  surely  put  in  strong  enough,' 
for  it,"  thought  I  to  mvself  j  "  my  political  connection — besides,  the  govern- 
ment owes  me — " 

"  Clar  out,  ye  niggers  !  what  de  yer  want  ?" 

This  was  a  voice  that  reached  me,  as  I  passed  the  dark  corner  of  the  Fau- 
bourg Treme.f  Then  followed  some  exclamation  in  French,  a  scufile  ensued, 
u  pistol  went  off,  and  I  heard  the  same  voice  again,  calling  out  • 

"  Four  till  one  !     Injuns ! — murder  ! — help,  hyeer  !" 

I  ran  up.  It  was  very  dark,  but  the  glimmer  of  a  distant  lamp  enabled  me 
to  perceive  a  man,  out  in  the  middle  of  the  street,  defending  himself  against 
four  others.  He  was  a  man  of  giant  size,  and  flourished  a  bright  weapon, 
which  I  tpok  to  be  a  bowie  knife,  while  his  assailants  struck  at  him  on  all 

*  The  prima  donna  of  a  French  operatic  troupe,  then  highly  popular  "juong  the  Cre- 
dies.     Ilalf  a  score  of  duels  were  fought  on  her  account  by  this  fiery  race 

t  A  quarter  of  New  Orleans  nated  as  the  scene  of  frequent  as3assinati<»n3  and  midnight 
qmftrrek.'     The  neighborhood  of  the  Quadroon  and  masked  b&lla. 


TH.i;    EIFLE    KANGEES.  15 

sides  with  sticks  and  stilettoes.     A  small  boy  ran  back  and  forth  upon  the 
banquette,  calling  for  help. 

Supposing  it  to  be  some  street  quarrel,  I  endeavored  to  separate  the  parties 
by  remonstrance.  I  rushed  between  them,  holding  out  my  cane ;  but  a  sharp 
cut  across  the  nuckles,  which  I  received  from  one  of  the  small  men,  together 
with  his  evident  intention  to  follow  it  up,  robbed  me  of  all  zest  for  pacific 
mediation,  and,  keeping  my  eye  upon  the  one  who  had  cut  me,  I  drew  a  pistol 
(I  could  not  otherwise  defend  myself)  and  fired.  He  fell  dead  in  his  tracks, 
without  a  groan.  His  comrades  hearing  me  re-cock,  took  to  their  heels,  and 
disappeared  up  a  neighboring  alley. 

The  whole  scene  did  not  occupy  the  time  you  have  spent  in  reading  this 
relation  of  it.  One  minute  I  was  plodding  quietly  homeward ;  the  next  I  i 
stood  in  the  mid  lie  of  the  street ;  beside  me  a  strangeFoffigaiitic  propor- 
tions; at  my  feet  a  black  mass  of  dead  humanity,  half  doubled  up  in  the  mud! 
as  it  had  fallen  ;  on  the  banquette  the  slight,  shivering  form  of  a  boy ;  whil«' 
above  and  around  were  silence  and  darkness  ! 

I  was  beginning  to  fancy  the  whole  thing  a  dream,  when  the  voice  of  the 
man  at  my  side  dispelled  this  delusion. 

•' Mister,"  said  he,  placing  his  arms  akimbo,  and  facing  me;  '-if  je'il  tell 
■oe  yer  name.  I  aint  a  gwine  to  forgit  it.     No,  Bob  Lin  kin  aint  that  sorter," 

"  TThat !  Bob  Lincoln  ?  Bob  Lincoln  of  the  Peaks  ?"*  In  the  voice  I  had 
recognised  a  celebrated  mountain  trapper,  and  an  old  acquaintance,  whom  I 
had  not  met  for  several  years. 

"Why,  Lord  save  us  from  Injuns  !  it  aint  you,  Cap'n  Haller  ?  May  I  be 
dog-goned  if  it  aint !  Whooray— whoop  !  I  knowed  it  wamt  no  store-keeper 
fired  that  shot.     Ilaroo !  whar  air  yer,  Jack  ?" 

"  Here  I  ^m  !"  answered  the  boy,  from  the  pavement. 

"  Kum  yeer,  then.     Ye  aint  badly  skeert,  air  yer  ?" 

"  No,"  firmly  responded  the  boy,  crossing  over. 

"  I  tuk  him  from  a  scoundrolly  Crow,t  thet  I  overhauled  on  a  fork  of  the 
Yellerstone,  He  gin  me  a  long  pedigree  ;  that  is,  afore  I  kilt  the  skunk.  He 
made  otat  as  how  his  people  hed  tuk  the  boy  from  the  Kimanches,  who  hed 
brought  him  from  soraewhar  down  the  Grand.  I  knowd  it  wur  all  bam- 
boozle.    The  boy  s  white,  American  white.     Who  ever  seed  a  yellcr-liided 

*  The  Spanish  Peaks— a  range  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  where  I  had  first  met  Lin- 
loln. 
t  Lincoln  refers  to  an  Indian  of  the  Crow  tribe. 


16  THE    RIFLE   E ANGERS. 

Mexikin  with  them  eyes  and  har  1  Jack  !  this  yeer's  Cap'n  Haller.  If  yer 
kin  iver  save  his  life  by  giving  yer  own,  yer  must  do  it,  de  yer  hear  ?" 

"  I  will,"  said  the  boy,  resolutely. 

"  Come,  Lincoln,"  I  interposed,  "  these  conditions  are  not  necessary.  You 
remember  I  was  in  your  debt."t 

"  Aint  worth  mentionin'.  Cap  ;  let  byegones  be  byegones  !" 

"  But  what  brought  you  to  New  Orleans?  or,  more  particularly,  how  came 
you  into  this  scrape  ?" 

"  Wal,  Cap'n,  bein  as  the  last  question  is  the  most  partickler,  I'll  gin  yer 
the  answer  to  it  fust.  I  bed  jest  twelve  dollars  in  my  pouch  ;  an  I  tuk  a  idee 
inter  my  head  thet  I  mout  as  well  double  it.  So  I  stepped  into  a  shanty 
whar  they  wur  a  playin  craps.§  After  bettin  a  good  spell,  I  wun  somewhar 
about  a  hundred  dollars.  Not  likin  the  sign  ||  I  seed  about,  I  tuk  Jack  and 
put  out.  AYal,  jest  as  I  was  kummin  roun  this  yeer  corner,  four  fellers — 
them  ye  seed — run  out  and  jumped  me,  like  so  many  painters.  I  tuk  them 
for  the  same  chaps  I  bed  seed  parleyvooing  at  the  craps  table,  an  tho't  they 
wur  only  jokin,  till  one  of  them  gin  me  a  a  sockdoUoger  over  the  head,  an 
fired  a  pistol.  I  then  drewed  my  bowie,  an  the  skrimmage  begun  ;  an  thet's 
all  I  know  about  it,  Cap'n,  more'n  yerself." 

"Let's  see  if  it's  all  up  with  this'n,"  continued  the  hunter,  stooping. 
"  I'deed,  yes,"  he  drawled  out ;  "  dead  as  a  buck.  Thunder !  ye've  gin  it 
him  atween  the  eyes,  plum  !  He  is  one  of  the  fellers,  es  my  name's  Bob 
Linkin.     I  kud  swar  to  them  mowstaches  among  a  million." 

At  this  moment,  a  patrol  of  night  gens-d'armes  came  up  ;  and  Lincoln,  and 
Jack,  and  myself  were  carried  off  to  the  Calaboose,  where  we  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  the  night.  In  the  morning,  we  were  brought  before  the  Recorder ; 
tut  I  had  taken  the  precaution  to  send  for  some  friends,  who  introduced  ma 
to  his  worship  in  a  proper  manner.  As  my  story  corroborated  Lincoln's,  and 
his  mine,  and  Jack's  substantiated  both — and  as  the  comrades  of  the  dead 
Creole  did  not  appear,  and  he  himself  was  identified  by  the  police  as  a  noto- 
rious robber,  the  Recorder  dismissed  the  case,  as  one  of  "justifiable  homicide 
in  self-defence,"  and  the  hunter  and  I  were  permitted  to  go  our  way  without 
further  interruption. 

X  I  alluded  to  an  adventure  in  tlio  Eocky  Mountains  several  years  before,  in  whioh«. 
but  for  Lincon,  I  should  have  lost  my  life. 

§  Craps.     A  popular  game  amrng  the  Creoles  of  New  Orleans. 

I!  "  Sign,"  a  word  jirofcssional  with  Lincoln,  refarring  to  the  tracks  or  other  indication* 
v£  the  beaver. 


CHAPTER    II. 

A    VOLUNTEER    RENDEZVOUS. 

"  Now,  Cap,"  said  Lincoln,  as  we  seated  ourselves  at  the  table  of  a  cafe, 
•*  I'll  answer  tother  question  yer  put  last  night.  I  wur  up  on  the  head  of 
Arkansaw,  an  hearin  they  wur  raisin  volunteers  down  yeer,  I  kim  down  ter 
jine.  It  aint  often  I  trouble  the  Settlements  ;  but  I've  a  mighty  puncheon, 
as  the  Frenchman  says,  to  hev  a  crack  at  them  yeller-bellies.*  I  haint  for- 
got a  mean  trick  they  sarved  me  two  yeern  ago,  up  thar  by  the  Peaks." 

"  And  so  you  have  joined  the  volunteers  ?" 

"  That's  sartin.  But  why  aint  you  a  gwine  to  Mexiko  ?  That  ere  's  a 
wonder  to  me,  Cap." 

"  So  I  purposed  long  since,  and  wrote  on  for  a  commission ;  but  the  Gov- 
ernment seems  to  have  forgotten  me." 

"  Dod  rot  the  Government !  git  a  commission  for  yerself." 

"How?"  I  asked. 

"  Jine  us,  an  be  illected — thet's  how." 

This  had  crossed  my  mind  before,  but,  believing  myself  a  stranger  among 
these  volunteers,  I  had  given  up  the  idea.  Once  joined,  he  who  failed  in  being 
elected  an  oflBcer.  was  fated  to  shoulder  a  firelock.  It  was  neck  or  nothing 
then.  Lincoln  set  things  in  a  new  light.  They  were  strangers  to  each  other 
he  afBrmed,  and  my  chances  would  therefore  be  as  good  as  any  man's. 

*'  I'll  tell  yer  what  it  is,"  said  he,  "  ycv  kin  kum  with  me  ter  the  rendevooz 

*  Yellow  bellioa— a  name  given  by  Western  hunters  and  soldiers  of  the  U.  S.  A.  to  tiM 
Me«icans. 


18  Tail,    KIFLK    RANGEKS. 

an  sec  for  yerself ;  but  if  ye'll  only  jine,  and  licker  freely,  I'll  lay  a  pack  of 
beaver  agia  the  skin  of  a  mink,  that  they'll  illect  yer  captain  of  the  com- 
pany." 

"  Even  a  lieutenancy  ?"  I  interposed. 

"  Neer  a  bit  of  it,  Cap.  Go  the  big  figgcr.  'Taint  more  ner  yer  entitled 
to.  I  kin  git  yer  a  good  heist  among  some  hunters  thet's  thar  ;  but  thar's  a 
bufHilo  drove  of  them  parleyvoos,  an  a  feller  among  'em,  one  of  these  yeer 
Oreeliolcs,  thet's  been  a  showin  off  and  fencin  with  a  pair  of  skewers  from 
momin  till  night.  I'd  be  dog-gone  glad  to  see  the  starch  taken  out  of  that 
feller." 

I  took  mv  resolution.  In  half  an  hour  after,  I  was  standing  in  a  large  hall 
or  armor3\  It  was  the  rendezvous  of  the  volunteers,  nearly  all  of  whom 
were  present ;  and  perhaps  a  more  variegated  assemblage  was  never  grouped, 
together.  Every  nationality  seemed  to  have  its  representative  ;  and  for  va- 
riet}--  of  language,  the  company  might  have  rivalled  the  masons  of  Babel. 

Near  the  head  of  the  room  was  a  table,  upon  which  lay  a  large  parchment, 
covered  with  signatures.  I  added  mine  to  the  list.  In  the  act  1  had  staked 
my  liberty.     It  was  an  oath. 

'■  These  are  my  rivals ;  the  candidates  for  office,"  thought  I,  looking  at  a 
group  who  stood  near  the  table.  They  were  men  of  better  appearance 
than  the  oi  toXXoi.  Some  of  them  alreadj'  affected  a  half-undress  uniform  ; 
and  most  wore  forage  caps  with  glazed  covers,  and  army  buttons  over  the 
ears. 

"  Ha  !  Clayley !"  said  I,  recognising  an  old  acquaintance.  This  was  a 
young  cotton  planter — a  free  dashing  spirit — who  had  sacrificed  a  fortune  at 
the  shrines  of  Momus  and  Bacchus. 

"  Why,  Haller,  old  fellow  !  glad  to  see  you.  How  have  you  been  ?  Think 
of  going  with  us  ?" 

"  Yes,  I  have  signed.     Who  is  that  man  ?" 

"  He's  a  Creole ;  his  name  is  Dubrosc." 

It  was  a  face  purely  Norman,  and  one  that  would  halt  the  wandering  eye 
in  any  collection.  Of  oval  outline,  framed  by  a  profusion  of  black  hair,  wavy 
and  perfumed.  A  round  black  eye  spanned  by  brows  arching  and  glossy. 
Wiiiskers,  that  belonged  rather  to  the  chin,  leaving  bare  the  broad  jaw-bone, 
expressive  of  firmness  and  resolve.  Firm  thin  lips,  handsomely  moustached  j 
when  parted,  displaying  teeth  well  set  and  of  dazzling  whiteness.  A  face  that 
might  be  called  beautiful — and  yet  its  beauty  was  of  that  negative  order, 
which  we  admire  in  the  scrj)ent  and  the  pard.     The  smile  was  cynical.     The 


THE   EIFLE   EANQBIiS. 


19 


eye  cold,  yet  bright ;  but  the  brightness  was  altogether  animal — more  the 
light  of  instinct  than  intellect.  A  face  that  presented  in  its  expression  a 
strange  admixture  of  the  lovely  and  the  hideous — physically  fair,  morally 
dark— beautiful,  yet  brutal. 

From  some  undefinable  cause,  I  at  once  conceived  for  this  man  a  strange 
feeling  of  dislike.  It  was  he  of  whom  Lincoln  had  spoken ;  and  who  was 
likely  to  be  my  rival  for  the  captaincy.  Was  it  this  that  rendered  him  re- 
pulsive ?  No.  There  was  a  cause  beyond.  In  him  I  recognised  one  of  those 
abandoned  natures,  who  shrink  from  all  honest  labor,  and  live  upon  the  sacri- 
ficial fondness  of  some  weak  being  who  has  been  enslaved  by  their  personal 
attractions.  There  are  many  such.  I  have  met  them  in  the  salons  of  Paris ; 
in  the  dance-rooms  of  London  ;  in  the  cafes  of  Ilavanna  and  New  Orleans — 
everywhere  in  the  crowded  haunts  of  the  world.  I  have  met  them  with  an 
instinct  of  loathing — an  instinct  of  antagonism. 

"  The  fellow  is  likely  to  be  our  captain,"  whispered  Clayley,  noticing  that 
I  observed  the  man  with  more  than  ordinary  attention.  "  By  the  way,"  con- 
tinued he,  "  I  don't  half  like  it.     T  believe  he's  an  infernal  scoundrel." 

"  I  quite  agree  with  you.     But  if  so,  how  can  he  be  elected  ?" 

"  Oh  !  no  one  here  knows  another ;  and  this  fellow  is  a  splendid  swordsman, 
like  all  the  Creoles  you  know.  lie  has  used  the  trick  to  advantage,  and  haa 
created  an  impression.  By  the  bye,  now  I  recollect,  you  are  no  slouch  at  that 
yourself.     What  are  you  up  for  ?" 

"  Captain."  I  replied. 

"  Good  !  then  we  must  go  the  whole  hog  in  your  favor.  I  have  put  in  foi 
the  first-lieutenancy,  so  we  won't  run  foul  of  each  other.  Let  us  '  hitch 
teams !' " 

"  With  all  my  heart."     Said  I. 

"  You  came  in  with  that  long-bearded  hunter.    Is  he  your  friend  ?" 

"  He  is." 

"  Then  I  can  tell  you,  that  among  these  fellows  he's  a  '  whole  team  and  a 
cross  dog  under  the  wagon'  to  boot.     See  him  !  he's  at  it  already." 

I  had  noticed  Lincoln  in  conversation  with  several  leather-legging  gentry 
like  himself,  whom  I  knew  from  their  costume  and  appearance  to  be  back- 
woodsmen. All  at  once,  these  saturnine  characters  commenced  moving  about 
the  room,  and  entering  into  conversation  with  men  whom  they  had  not 
hitherto  deigned  to  notice. 

"  They  are  canvassing."     Said  Clayley. 

Lincoln,  brushing  past,  whispered  in  my  ear :  "  Cap'n,  I  understan  these  yeer 


-0  THE   KIFLE   KANGEK8. 

critters  better  'n  your  kin.  Yer  must  mix  among  'em — mix  and  licker,  thet'a 
the  idee." 

"  Good  advice,"  said  Clayley  ;  "  but  if  you  could  only  take  the  shine  out 
of  that  fellow  at  fencing,  the  thing's  done  at  once.  By  Jove  !  I  think  you 
might  do  it,  Ilaller !" 

"  1  have  made  up  ray  mind  to  try,  at  all  events." 

"  Not  until  the  last  day ;  a  few  hours  before  the  election." 

"You  are  right;  that  will  be  better:  very  well,"  and  Clayley  walked 
away. 

During  the  next  three  days,  the  enrolment  continued,  and  the  canvass  was 
kept  up  with  energy.  The  election  was  to  take  place  on  the  evening  of  the 
fourth.  My  dislike  for  my  rival  had  been  strengthened  by  observation ;  and, 
as  is  always  so  in  such  cases,  the  feeling  was  reciprocal.  On  the  afternoon  of 
the  day  in  question,  we  stood  before  each  other,  foil  in  hand,  both  of  us  nerved 
by  an  intense^  though  as  yet  unspoken,  enmity.  This  had  been  observed  by 
most  of  the  spectators,  who  approached,  forming  a  circle  around  us ;  all  of 
them  highly  interested  in  the  result,  which,  they  knew,  M-ould  be  an  index  to 
the  election. 

The  room  was  an  armory,  and  all  kinds  of  weapons  for  military  practice 
were  kept  in  it.  Each  had  helped  himself  to  his  foil.  One  of  the  weapons 
was  without  a  button,  and  sharp  enough  to  be  dangerous  in  the  hands  of  an 
Angiy  man.     I  noticed  that  my  antagonist  had  chosen  this  one. 

"  Your  foil  is  not  in  order  ;  it  has  lost  the  button — has  it  not  ?" 

"  Ah  !  Monsieur,  pardon.     I  did  not  perceive  that." 

"  A  strange  oversight,"  muttered  Clayley,  with  a  significant  glance. 

The  Frcnchmai  returned  the  imperfect  foil,  and  took  another. 

"•  Have  you  a  choice,  Monsieur  ?"  I  inquired 

"  No  thank  you  ;  I  am  satisfied." 

By  this  time  every  person  in  the  rendezvous  had  come  up.  and  waited  with 
breathless  anxiety.  We  stood  face  to  fiice.  more  like  two  men  about  to  engage 
in  a  deadly  duel,  than  a  pair  of  amateurs  with  blunt  foils.  My  antagonist 
was  evidently  a  practised  swordsman.  I  could  see  that  as  ho  came  to  guard. 
This  exercise  had  been  a  foible  of  my  college  days,  and  for  years  I  had  not  met 
my  match  ;  but  I  was  out  of  practise. 

We  commenced  unsteadily.  Both  were  excited  by  unusual  emotions,  and 
our  first  thrusts  were  neither  skilfully  aimed  nor  guarded.  We  fenced  with 
the  energy  of  anger ;  and  the  sparks  crackled  from  the  friction  of  the  grazing 
steel.     For  several  minutes  it  was  a  doubtful  contest,  but  I  grew  cooler  every 


THE   RIFLB    KANGKRS.  21 

instant,  while  a  slight  advantage  1  had  gained  irritated  ray  adversary.  At 
length,  by  a  lucky  hit,  I  succeded  in  planting  the  button  of  my  foil  upon  his 
cheek.  A  cheer  greeted  this,  and  I  could  hear  the  voice  of  Lincoln  shouting 
out: 

"  Wal  done,  Cap'n  !  whooray  1' 

This  added  to  the  exasperation  of  the  Frenchman,  causing  him  to  strike 
wilder  than  before  ;  and  I  found  no  diflSculty  in  repeating  my  former  thrust. 
It  was  now  a  sure  blow ;  and,  after  a  few  passes,  I  thrust  my  adversary  for 
the  third  time,  drawing  blood.  The  cheer  rang  out  louder  than  before.  The 
Frenchman  could  no  longer  conceal  his  mortification  ;  and,  grasping  his  foil  in 
both  hands,  he  snapped  it  over  his  knee,  with  an  oath.  Then  muttering  some 
words  about  better  weapons  and  another  opportunity,  he  strode  off  among 
the  spectators.  Two  hours  after  the  combat  I  was  his  captain.  Clayley  wag 
elected  first-lieutenant ;  and  in  a  week  from  that  time  the  company  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service  of  the  United  States'  Government,  and  armed  and  equip- 
ped as  an  independent  corps  of  "  Rifle  Rangers."  On  the  20th  of  January, 
1847,  a  noble  ship  was  bearing  us  over  the  broad  blue  water,  toward  the 
shores  of  a  hostile  laad. 


CHAPTER   III. 

LIFE    ON   THE    ISLAND   OF   LOBOS. 

After  calling  at  Brazos  Santiago,  we  were  ordered  to  land  upon  the  island  of 
Lobos,  fifty  miles  north  of  Vera  Cruz.  This  was  to  be  our  "  drill  rendezvous." 
We  soon  reached  this  point.  Detachments  from  several  regiments  debarked 
together ;  the  jungle  was  attacked  ;  and,  in  a  few  hours,  the  green  grove  had 
disappeared,  and  in  its  place  stood  the  white  pyramids  of  canvass  with  their 
floating  flags.  It  was  the  work  of  a  day.  When  the  moon  looked  down 
upon  Lobos,  it  seemed  as  if  a  warlike  city  had  sprung  suddenly  out  of  the  sea, 
with  a  navy  at  anchor  in  front  of  its  bannered  walls ! 

In  a  few  days,  six  full  regiments  had  encamped  upon  this  hitherto  unin- 
nabited  isla.id ;  and  nothing  was  heard  but  the  voice  of  war. 

These  regiments  were  all  "raw,"  ani  my  duty,  with  others,  consisted  in 
« licking  them  into  shape."  It  was  drill,  drill,  from  morning  till  night ;  and, 
by  early  tatoo,  I  was  always  glad  to  crawl  into  my  tent,  and  go  to  sleep- 
such  sleep  as  a  man  can  get  among  scorpions,  centipedes,  and  soldier-crabs ; 
for  the-  little  islet  seemed  to  have  within  its  boundaries  a  specimen  of  every 
reptile  that  came  safe  out  of  the  ark. 

The  22d  being  Washington's  birthday,  I  could  not  get  to  bed  as  usual.  1 
was  compelled  to  accept  an  invitation,  obtained  hy  Clayley,  to  the  tent  of 
Major  Twing ;  where  they  were— using  Clayley's  own  words—"  to  have  » 
night  of  it." 

After  tatoo,  we  set  out  for  the  Major's  marquee,  which  lay  near  the  centre 
of  the  islet,  in  a  coppice  of  caoutchouc  trees.  We  had  no  diflBculty  in  finding 
it— guided  by  the  jingling  of  glasses,  and  the  mingling  of  many  voices  in  louU 
laughter. 


THE   KIFLE    RANGERS.  ^^6 

As  we  camfc  near,  we  couitl  perceive  that  the  marquee  had  been  enlarged, 
by  tucking  up  the  flaps  in  front,  with  the  addition  of  a  fly  stretched  over  an 
extra  ridge-pole.  Several  pieces  of  rough  plank,  spirited  away  from  the  ships, 
resting  upon  empty  bread  barrels,  formed  the  table.  Upon  this  might  bo 
recognised  every  variety  of  bottles,  glasses  and  cups.  Open  boxes  of  sar- 
dines, piles  of  ship-biscuits,  and  segments  of  cheese,  filled  the  intervening 
spaces.  Freshly  drawn  corks  and  glistening  fragments  of  lead  were  strewed 
around,  while  a  number  of  dark,  conical  objects  under  the  table  told  that  not 
a  few  champagne  bottles  were  already  "  down  among  the  dead  men." 

On  each  side  of  the  table  was  a  row  of  colonels,  captains,  subalterns,  and 
doctors ;  seated  without  regard  to  rank  or  age,  according  to  the  order  in 
which  they  had  "  dropped  in."  There  was  also  a  sprinkling  of  strange,  haJf- 
sailor-looking  men,  the  skippers  of  brigs,  steamboats,  &c.,  for  Twing  was  a 
thorough  republican  in  his  entertainments ;  besides,  the  day  levelled  all  dis- 
tinctions. 

At  the  head  of  the  table  was  the  Major  himself — one  of  those  wiry,  hard- 
headed,  hard-drinking  devils — who  always  carried  a  flask  suspended  from  his 
shoulders  by  a  green  string ;  and  without  this  flask,  no  one  ever  saw  Major 
Twing.  He  could  not  have  stuck  to  it  more  closely  had  it  been  his  badge  of 
rank.  It  was  not  unusual,  on  the  route,  to  hear  some  wearied  ofiicer  exclaim: 
"  If  I  only  had  a  pull  at  old  Twing's  pewter  !"  and  "  equal  to  Twing's  flask," 
was  an  expression  which  stamped  the  quality  of  any  liquor  as  superfine. 
Such  was  one  of  the  Major's  peculiarities,  though  by  no  means  the  only  one. 

As  my  friend  and  I  made  our  appearance  under  the  fly,  the  company  was 
in  high  glee ;  every  one  enjoying  himself  with  that  freedom  from  restraint  of 
rank  peculiar  to  the  American  army-service.  Clayley  was  a  great  favorite 
with  the  INIajor,  and  at  once  caught  his  eye. 

"  Ila,  Clayley  !  that  you  ?  Walk  in  with  your  friend.  Find  seats  there, 
gentlemen," 

"  Captain  Haller — Major  Twing,"  said  Clayley,  introducing  me. 

"  Happy  to  know  you,  Captain,  Can  you  find  seats  there  ?  No.  Come 
up  this  way.  Cudjo  !  boy !  run  over  to  Colonel  Marshall's  tent,  and  steal  a 
couple  of  stools.  Adge,  twist  the  neck  off  that  bottle.  Where's  the  f«rew  1 
Hang  that  screw  !     Where  is  it,  any  bow  ?" 

"Never  mind  the  screw,  Mage,"  cried  the  Adjutant;  "I've  got  a  pateit 
universal  here."  So  saying,  the  gentleman  held  out  a  champagne  bottle  in 
his  left  hand,  and  with  a  down  stroke  of  his  right,  cut  the  neck  off  as  if  it  had 
been  filed ! 

# 


24  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Nate  !"  ejaculated  Hennessy  an  Irish  oflScer,  who  sat  near  the  head  of  tht 
table. 

"  What  we  call  a  Kentucky  corkscrew,"  said  the  Adjutant,  coolly.  '*  It 
offers  a  double  advantage.     It  saves  time,  and  you  get  the  wine  clear  of—" 

'•  My  respects,  gentlemen  !     Captain  Haller — Mr.  Clayley." 

"  Thank  you,  Major  Twing.     To  you,  Sir !" 

"  Ila  !  the  stools  at  last !  Only  one !  What  the  devil,  Cudjo  ?  Come, 
gentlemen — squeeze  yourselves  up  this  w»y.  Here,  Clayley,  old  boy,  here's 
a  cartridge-box.  Adge !  up-end  that  box.  So — give  us  your  fist,  old  fellow  j 
how  are  you  ?     Sit  down.  Captain ;  sit  down.     Cigars,  there  !" 

As  soon  as  we  had  got  seated,  several  voices  were  heard  vociferating  "  the 
Bong  !  the  song  !  round  with  the  song  !"  and  I  learnt  that  the  order  of  the 
night  was  "  a  song,  a  story,  or  half-a-dozen  bottles  of  champagne." 

"  Sibley's  turn  next !"  shouted  one. 

"  Sibley  !  Sibley !"  cried  several  voices. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  the  officer  called  upon,  a  young  South  Carolinian, 
"  as  I  make  no  pretensions  to  singing,  I  will  endeavor  to  clear  the  forfeit  by 
ft  story." 

"  Good !  a  story,  by  all  means — nothing  like  variety." 

"  Liftinant,  take  a  trifle  of  the  squeezed  lemon  before  ye  begio.*' 

*  Thank  you.  Captain  Hennessy.    Your  health,  Sir  !" 


CHAPTER    IV. 

LIEUTENANT    SIBLEY's    STORY    OF   A    GEORGIA    HOTEL. 

''  Well,  gentlemen,  about  six  months  ago,  I  had  occasion  to  make  a  jour 
ney  to  Pensacola  on  horseback.  My  road  of  course  lay  through  the  State  oJ 
Georgia. 

"  It  is  well  kn(Jvn,  gentlemen,  that  there  are  large  tracts  in  the  territorj 
of  our  Southern  neighbor,  that  have  proved  very  ungrateful  to  the  labors  of 
the  husbandman.  These  districts  are,  in  consequence,  but  sparsely  settleii 
and  ill -provided  with  the  necessaries  of  life." 

Here  the  Lieutenant  looked  significantly  towards  some  Georgians  who  were 
present. 

"  On  the  third  day  of  my  journey,  I  had  ridden  about  twenty  miles  through 
one  of  these  tracts — a  dry  pine  barren — without  having  cauglit  the  nrsi 
glimpse  of  a  human  habitation.  I  was  faint  with  hunger  and  thirst ;  so  was 
my  horse,  who  stretched  out  his  neck  and  moaned  piteously,  as  each  new  and 
apparently  illimitable  prospect  of  the  hot,  sandy  road  opened  before  us.  There 
no  help  for  it.  however ;  so  we  jogged  on  painfully,  both  of  us  keeping  s 
sharp  look  a-head.  You  cannot  fancy  my  delight,  when,  on  turning  a  comer 
1  saw  before  me  a  large  and  substantial  log-house,  with  a  pine  mast  stuck  up 
before  the  door,  and  a  broad  swinging  sign,  upon  which  was  legible,  in  bol<i 
characters,  the  word  '  Ilotel.' 

"  I  rubbed  my  eyes,  and  then  shaded  them  with  my  hand,  to  make  sur^ 
it  was  not  the  mirage,  which  frequently  makes  its  appearcnce  upon  thesp 
sn,ndy  plains.     But  no  ;  it  was  a  house,  and,  better  still,  a  hotel. 

"  I  straightened  myself  in  the  saddle.  My  horse  whighered  and  steppe- 1 
out  cheerily.     '  Come,'  said  I,  patting  him  on  the  neck,  '  we're  through  it  at 


26  THE    lUFLE    liANGEKS. 

last  old  fellow ;  you'll  soon  be  up  to  your  ears  in  the  best  of  Georgia  corn, 
and  I — .'  Here  the  anticipated  enjoyment  of  ham  and  eggs,  fried  chicken, 
strong  coffee,  hot  biscuit  and  waffles  deprived  me  of  the  power  of  speech,  and 
I  rode  up  to  the  '  hotel'  in  silence. 

'•  As  I  got  nearer  the  house,  it  began  to  look  weather-beaten  and  desolate- 
iike  ;  and  I  was  growing  fearful  that  it  might  be"  uninhabited ;  but  no,  there 
sat  the  landlord  in  the  porch,  and  his  two  sons.  '  It's  all  right,'  thought  I ; 
so  I  rode  up,  and  drew  bridle  in  front  of  the  door. 

'  So  far.  the  three  individuals  whom  I  had  observed  in  the  porch — three 
sallow,  dry-looking  chaps,  in  their  shirt-sleeves — had  not  moved  an  inch !  I 
am  not  certain  that  they  even  changed  the  direction  of  their  eyes  !  A  couple 
of  gaunt,  yellow  dogs,  that  lay  on  the  stoop,  remained  equally  motionless ! 

"  '  Come,'  thought  I,  '  this  is  cool  for  people  who  keep  a  house  of  entertain- 
ment. They  ought  to  know,  from  the  direction  in  which  I  have  come,  that  I 
am  likely  to  put  up  for  the  night.  They  might  offer  to  take  one's  horse,  I 
should  think !'  But  no  one  stirred.  I  began  to  suspect  that  the  house  might 
not  be  a  tavern,  as  I  had  at  first  supposed ;  and  I  looked  up  at  the  sign. 
Enough — the  word  '  hotel'  was  there  in  large  letters. 

" '  Can  I  stop  here  for  the  night  V     I  inquired  at  length. 

"  I  waited  for  an  answer,  but  none  came.  I  repeated  the  question  in  & 
louder  and  more  imperious  tone. 

"  '  You  kin  if  yer  like,  strenger,'  replied  the  oldest  of  the  three,  but  without 
iioring  a  muscle,  except  those  of  his  mouth. 

•' '  Have  you  got  any  corn  V  I  inquired,  intending  to  make  sure  before 
alighting ;  as  the  house,  on  a  nearer  inspection,  looked  naked  and  empty. 

•"Got  any  corn  ?'  echoed  the  same  speaker  as  before. 

' '  Yes,'  said  I,  '  corn.' 

'■^ '  No,  we  haint  got  any,'  was  the  reply. 

'' '  Well,  have  you  got  any  fodder,  then  V 

"Got  any  fodder?' 

•' '  Yes— fodder.' 

•' '  No,  we  haint  got  any.' 

■' '  This  is  bad,'  thought  I,  '  my  poor  horse — I  will  have  to  turn  him  loose, 
»nd  I  might  as  well  tie  him  up  for  that  matter,'  as,  on  looking  around,  I 
ynild  not  see  h  blade  of  grass  within  the  circuit  of  a  mile  !  '  I  had  best  hitch 
urn  to  the  post — take  a  hunied  snivjk  myself,  and  then  ride  on  to  the  next 
aou.se — l»ut  liist  let  me  see  what  they  c;in  give  me  to  eat' 

*  All  tke  time  I  was  occupied  with  these  rellcctions,  the  three  mcu  r»- 


THE    RIFLE    KANOEKS.  27 

tao-ined  silent  and  motionless,  except  when  one  or  the  other  of  them  would 
onng  his  hand  down  with  a  smart  slap  over  his  cheek,  or  along  his  thigh,  or 
oehind  his  ear,  as  though  one  and  all  of  them  were  afflicted  with  the  i  laladj 
.f  St.  Vitus ! 

"'  I  was  at  first  startled  with  these  demonstrations ;  but,  upon  further  ob* 
ervation,  I  perceived  that  my  saturnine  friends  were  only  killing  musquitoes 

"  '  Have  you  got  any  ham  and  eggs  V  I  asked. 

"  '  Got  any  ham  and  eggs  V  echoed  the  original  speaker,  with  an  emphasia 
hat  clearly  betokened  surprise. 

"  '  Yes — ham  and  eggs,'  repeated  I. 

"  '  No,  we  haint  got  any.' 

"  '  A  pity  ;  I  am  fond  of  ham  and  eggs.     Have  you  any  chickens,  then  T 

" '  Chickens  V 

"  '  Yes,"  said  I,  '  chickens.' 

"  '  No,  we  haint  got  any  chickens — nery  chicken.' 

"  '  Well,  have  you  got  any  meat  V 

" '  Got  any  meat  V 

"  '  Yes — any  sort  of  meat — beef,  pork,  mutton  or  veal.  I'm  not  particu* 
lar — I'm  hungry.' 

"  '  No,  we  haint  got  any.' 

"  '  Have  you  any  bread,  then  V 

"  '  Any  bread  V 

"  '  Yes — bread — a  piece  of  bread  awd  a  glass  of  water.  That  to  a  hungry 
man  is  a  banquet.' 

"  •  No ;  we  haint  got  no  bread.' 

" '  Well,  my  friend,  have  you  got  anything  to  eat  of  any  kind  V 

'' '  Anything  to  eat  of  any  kind  V 

"  '  Yes,  anything.     I'm  as  hungry  as  a  wolf.' 

"  '  No,  we  haint  got  nothing  to  eat  of  nery  kind.' 

" '  Can  you  give  my  horse  some  water  ?  and  Fll  ride  on.' 

"  '  We  haint  none  drawed,  strenger ;  but  the  crick  aint  more'n  a  kuppio  o 
miles  ahead — yer  kin  git  water  thar.' 

'"Good  God!'  I  ejaculated,  involuntarily;  'no  meat,  no  bread,  no  corn, 
no  water,  no  nothing  !  Look  here,  old  feUow  !  will  you  teU  me  how  the  devil 
you  do  here,  anyhow  ?' 

"  Not  at  all  put  out  by  the  question,  the  old  cha^  looked  up  sideways,  ami 
replied  : 

"  '  Very  well,  I  thank  ye,  strenger,  how  de  yer  deo  yeraelfV 


28  TllK    KIPLE    liANGERS. 

"  I  gave  a  violent  wrench  at  the  bridle,  which  brought  my  horse  round  like 
a  pivot,  and,  digging  the  spurs  into  his  sides,  I  headed  him  at  the  road.  Bu 
the  poor  beast  did  not  need  any  driving ;  for,  whether  he  had  been  satisfle( 
by  his  own  inspection  of  the  place,  or  whether  he  had  understood  the  conver 
Bation,  he  broke  into  a  sort  of  despairing  gallop,  and  did  not  stop  until  we 
had  reached  thp  top  of  a  long  hill !  Here  I  had  the  curiosity  to  turn  round  in 
the  saddle,  and  look  back ;  and,  to  my  astonishment,  the  Uiree  men  were  stil 
seated  just  as  I  had  left  them ;  and  I  really  believe  that  they  aro  sitting  ther« 
to  this  day  !     Captain  Hennessy,  I'll  trouble  you  again." 

"  With  all  the  pleasure  of  life — here's  at  you,  Liftinant !" 

"  Fill  u-p,  gentlemen !  fill  up  !"  shouted  the  sharp,  hard  voice  of  the  Major 
as  soon  as  the  laughter  had  subsided ;  "  fill  up — there's  a  basket  left." 

"  Ay,  and  when  that's  through,  Old  Blowhard  here  has  another  stowed 
away  in  the  lockers  of  his  steamer.'' 

"  Ay,  a  dozen  of  'em  for  such  a  day  as  this,"  said  the  transport  master, 
who  was  known  among  the  officers  at  Lobos  as  "  Old  Blowhard." 

"  Speaking  of  the  day,  allow  me,  gentlemen,  to  propose  a  sentiment,  which, 
until  now,  we  have  by  some  accident,  overlooked." 

This  came  from  a  tall,  grey-haired  officer  of  a  venerable  aspect. 

"Sentiment  from  Colonel  Harding!" 

"  Colonel  Harding's  sentiment !" 

"  Fill  up  for  the  Colonel's  toast ;  pass  that  champagne." 

"  Tkc  meviory  of  the  immortal  man,  whose  birth-day  we  celebrate?^ 

This  toast  was  drunk  standing — all  heads  uncovered-^and  in  perfect  silence 
The  riot  that  rung  but  a  moment  ago  through  the  crowded  canvass  was 
hushed,  out  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  dead.  The  silemie 
was  only  momentary.  Like  waves  for  a  while  baffled,  and  back  returning, 
the  sounds  of  revelry  again  broke  forth.  Above  the  din  of  conversation^  se- 
veral voices  were  heard,  vociferating : 

"  A  story  from  Old  Blowhard  ! — A  back  hit  from  Georgia  !" 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  responded  the  old  transport-master,  a  thorough-bred 
Georgian  ;  "  I'm  ready  as  soon  as  you  have  all  filled ;  I  don't  like  to  h6  inter- 
rupted." 

"  Fill  up,  gentlemen  !"  shouted  the  Major,  "  Adge  out  with  some  corks ! 
Cudjo,  Where's  the  screw?  Hang  that  screw!  I  believe  it's  sunk  mto  the 
Band  ;  look  out  for  your  purses,  gentlemen,  if  you  drop  them  there,  they're  gone. 
I've  lost  several  valuable  articles  in  this  cursed  sand-hole." 

"  Mine  is  as  low,  as  it  can  possibly  get,"  cried  a  voice. 


THIO    UIKLK    RANOKRR.  29 

"Never  mind  the  screw,  Adge,"  said  Hillis,  the  Adjutant,  who  by  thia 
time  had  broken — Kentucky  fashion — the  necks  of  several  bottles,  and  was 
puring  out  their  foaming  contents. 

"Now,  gentlemen,"  cried  the  Georgian,  after  swallowing  a  cup  of  chara 
pagne,  "  I'm  at  your  service." 


CHAPTER    V. 

OLD    BLOWHARd's    STORY    OF  THE   GUYAS-COTIS. 

"Mine,  gentlemen,  is  also  a  travelling  story,"  Here  the  Georgian  lookei 
significantly  towards  Sibley. 

*'  I  was  journeying  to  the  City  of  "Washington,  in  company  with  a  friend— 
a  Georgian  boy,  like  myself.  We  went,  as  thousands  have  gone  before  an 
since,  to  try  our  luck  at  oflBce-hunting.  You  are  all  well  aware,  gentlemen 
that  the  road  from  Georgia  to  "Washington  passes  through  the  Palmetto 
State ;  a  State  distTnguished  for  the  fertility  of  its  soil,  as  well  as  for  the  wealth 
chivalr}'-,  and  intell  • -;ence  of  her  sons."  Here  "  Old  Blowhard  winked  know- 
ingly at  the  company  with  one  eye  while  he  kept  the  other  fixed  upon  th« 
South  Carolinian. 

"  I  thought  myseli"  a  smart  traveller,  gentlemen ;  but  compared  with  my 
companion,  I  was  as  •  reen  as  a  blade  of  spring  grass.  He  was  naturally 
sharp,  but  experience  had  polished  his  wits  to  the  keenness  of  a  cambric  needle 
His  name  was  Cobb — Wiley  Cobb. 

"  We  started  from  hom^^  on  a  capital  of  three  hundred  dollars.  It  was  all 
we  could  rake  together.  15ut  we  had  a  couple  of  stout  Georgia  ponies;  and 
this,  we  concluded,  would  be  enough  to  put  us  through  to  "\Yashington  and 
back. 

"  '  If  we're  stumped,'  said  Cobb,  '  we  can  sell  the  cattle.' 

"  'Unfortunately,  before  entering  the  Palmetto  State,  it  was  our  luck  to  pn'8 
through  the  town  of  Augusta,  on  the  Georgia  side,  where  we  halted  to  feed. 
Augusta  had  alwa^'s  been  considered  a  "  brisk  little  place."  We  found  it  so. 
Not  being  in  a  great  hurry,  we  remained  over  night  and  the  next  da^'.     We 


THK    UIVLK    I  lANQEUS.  31 

had  ftilleii  in  with  some  very  agreeable  acquaintances.  We  got  to  playing . 
at  ninepenny  poker  ;  then  quarter  a  dollar  loc;  then  brag;  and  finally,  our 
Augusta  friends  introduced  us  to  the  interesting  game  of /aro.  We  playe< 
all  night,  and  by  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the  second  day,  had  deposite 
our  three  hundred  dollars  in  tho  "  bank"  where  it  stayed. 

"  '  What's  to  be  done  V  said  I. 

" '  I'm  thinking,'  answered  Cobb. 

" '  Sell  the  ponies  and  start  back  V  suggested  T. 

"  '  No  such  thing  !'  sharply  responded  Cobb. 

"  '  What  better  can  we  do  V  I  asked. 

"  '  What  have  3^ou  got  in  your  saddle-bags  V  inquired  my  friend,  without 
heeding  my  last  interrogatory. 

"  '  A  shirt,  a  pair  of  pistols,  a  plug  of  tobacco,  and  a  bowie,'  was  ray  reply. 

"'We  must  sell  the  bowie  first,'  said  Cobb  ;  'it  will  pay  our  tavern  bill, 
and  get  us  out  of  this  infernal  hole.' 

"  '  And  what  next  ?     On  to  Washington  ?'  I  inquired. 

" '  Of  course,'  said  Cobb,  '  we  would  look  wise  turning  back :  we  would  be 
the  standing  joke  of  the  county,'  added  he. 

" '  But  how  can  we  travel  without  funds  ?'  I  asked, 

"  '  That  we  will  have  to  fmd  out,'  said  Cobb,  with  a  look  as  cheerful  and 
happy  as  if  he  had  had  relays  of  horses  all  along  to  Washington,  and  his  bill 
paid  at  every  tavern  upon  the  road. 

"  '  I  have  an  acquaintance,'  continued  he,  '  at  the  end  of  the  first  stage  from 
here ;  we  can  stop  all  night  with  him,  that  won't  cost  anything  ;  beyond  that, 
we  must  trust  to  the  hospitality  of  the  farmers.  I  think  we  can  get  through 
South  Carolina  handsomely ;  good,  generous  fellows,  the  South  Carolinians. 
Here  Blowhard  again  looked  significantly  across  the  table.  '  The  danger  is 
we  may  stick  in  the  Turpentine  State.  We  must  travel  through  it  on  tho 
proceeds  of  your  pistols.  But  come,  let  us  first  di.spose  of  the  bowie,  and  get 
out  of  this  sharper's  nest.' 

''  As  Cobb  was  my  senior,  and  in  my  estimation  a  great  genius,  I  of  course 
acquiesced.  He  sold  the  bowie-knife  to  one  of  our  gambling  friends,  for  six 
dollars ;  the  tavern  bill  was  liquidated,  leaving  a  few  shillings  in  our  joint 
purse ;  and  with  this  we  took  the  road  through  South  Carolina. 

"  At  the  end  of  the  first  day,  we  stopped  with  Cobb's  friend  and  were  hos- 
pitably entertained.  Cobb  felt  a  strong  inclination  to  borrow  from  him,  bu^ 
could  not  bring  himself  to  confe.ss  the  cause  of  our  necessity. 

"  We  left  his  friend's  house,  thcrer'ne,  after  an  excellent  breakfast,  out 
horses  well  fed  and  curriedj  but  witliout  any  iucrea.se  to  our  finances.     On  the 


32  TIIK    KIFI.K.    KANGERS. 

.'ontrarj,  we  had  given  a  shilling;  to  the  '  darkie'  who  had  saddled  our  ponies. 

"  We  were  now  fairly  cv  routc^  travelling  through,  to  both  of  us,  a  terra 
incognita. 

"  That  night  we  stopped  at  a  planter's  house.  I  do  not  know  what  Cobb 
lold  the  owner,  as  we  were  preparing  to  leave  in  the  morning ;  but  I  heard  the 
latter  remark  somewhat  sneeringly,  as  we  got  into  our  saddles,  '  It  aint  usual 
lor  folks  to  travel  through  these  parts  without  money,'  and  then  there  was  a 
half-stifled,  angry-like  ejaculation,  followed  by  a  hissing  through  his  teeth  of 
words,  which  would  have  sounded  badly  in  polite  ears. 

" '  Rather  an  inhospitable  sort  of  a  chap,'  whispered  I,  as  we  rode  off. 

"  '  Cursed  inhospitable  !'  said  Cobb,  '  especially  for  a  South  Carolinian. 
But  he's  an  exception,  T  guess.' 

"  And  he  was  an  exception ;  for  the  next  place  we  stopped  at,  they  turned 
to,  and  blackguarded  us  outright,  calling  us  'impostors,'  and  'Georgia  Yan- 
kees ;'  and  the  next  after  that,  the  landlord  of  the  house,  which  was  a  tavern, 
threatened  to  levy  upon  otor  saddle-bags.  This  he  certainly  would  have  done, 
but  Cobb  told  him  very  significantly,  that  they  contained  only  a  pair  of  pistols, 
and  that  these  were  loaded,  and  might  go  off.  Saying  this,  Cobb  took  out 
the  pistols,  and  handed  one  of  them  to  me ;  then,  cocking  his  own,  be  told  the 
landlord  he  '  might  have  the  saddle-bags  now,  as  they  were  empty.' 

"  But  Cobb  was  six  feet  two,  with  a  pair  of  fierce  whiskers,  and  an  eye  as 
black  as  a  coal ;  and  the  landlord  concluded  to  let  the  bags  hang  where  they 
were :  so  we  leaped  into  our  saddles,  and  rode  off. 

"  '  This  will  never  do,  Harry,'  said  Cobb,  as  we  jogged  leisurely  along. 

" '  Never,'  said  I. 

" '  We  must  hit  upon  some  plan  to  raise  the  wind,'  continued  he. 

"  '  I  wish  we  could,'  said  I. 

"  '  Think,'  said  he. 

"  '  I'll  try,'  said  I ;  and  I  commenced  turning  over  in  my  mind  every  plan  1 
could  think  of,  that  would  be  likely  to  relieve  us  from  our  difficulty. 

"  But  '  raising  the  wind'  by  the  mere  process  of  thought,  is  an  achievement 
which  has  puzzled  sharper  intellects  than  mine  ;  and  I  was  about  abandoning 
the  twentieth  project,  when  Cobb,  who  was  riding  some  distance  in  advance, 
suddenly  checked  his  horse,  and,  wheeling  round  in  the  saddle,  with  a  tri- 
umphant gesture,  shouted  out: 

"  '  Harry,  I  have  it !' 

"  '  Good  !'  cried  I. 

*' '  I've  tree'd  the  varmint !'  continued  he. 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS.  33 

•  You  have  V  said  I. 

'" '  Like  a  knife !'  said  he. 

"  '  I'm  glad  of  it,'  said  I ;  'but  how  V 

"  '  Never  mind,  I'll  tell  you  at  night.  I  haven't  got  the  thing  straightened 
out  yet.     How  far  do  you  suppose  we  are  from  Columbia  V  inquired  he. 

"  '  About  twenty  milesl  I  should  think.  We  hare  come  five,  and  they  said 
it  was  twenty-five  from  the  tavern.' 

" '  Well,  then,  ride  slowly,'  said  Cobb.  '  We  must  not  reach  Columbia  before 
dark.    What  sized  place  is  it  V 

" '  I  haven't  an  idea,'  replied  I.  '  It  ought  to  be  a  good  chunk  of  a  place 
though — it's  the  State  capital.' 

"  '  So  it  is — you're  right — it'll  do,'  said  he  ;  and  we  rode  on  in  silence,  Cobb 
buried  in  profound  meditation,  maturing  his  plans,  and  I  dying  with  curios- 
ity to  know  them. 

"  About  half  an  hour  after  dark,  we  entered  the  town,  and  rode  up  the 
streets,  Cobb  looking  inquiringly  into  the  different  stores,  as  we  passed. 

'•' '  Here's  the  thing  1'  ejaculated  he,  pulling  up  in  front  of  a  shoe-shop,  and 
getting  off  his  horse. 

"  He  entered  the  shop.  I  could  see,  by  his  gesticulations  to  the  owner  of 
the  establishment,  that  he  was  in  treaty  for  a  large  empty  box,  which  stood 
in  the  middle  of  the  store.     All  that  I  could  hear  was  the  following : 

"  After  you  have  made  the  hole,  you  may  nail  down  the  lid,  and  pa,int  the 
letters  upon  it.     Here  they  are.' 

"  Saying  this,  he  took  up  a  scrap  of  paper,  and  writing  some  words  upon  it. 
handed  it  to  the  storekeeper. 

"  '  I'll  send  a  dray  for  it  in  half-an-hour,'  continued  he.  He  then  paid  for 
the  box ;  and,  bidding  the  man  good  night,  we  continued  our  way  to  the  prin- 
cipal hotel,  where  we  drew  up  and  dismounted. 

"  '  I'll  be  back  in  an  hour,  Harry,'  said  Cobb,  throwing  me  his  bridle  ;  '  in  the 
meantime,  take  your  supper,  engage  a  snug  room,  and  wait  for  me.  Don't 
register  till  I  come — I'll  attend  to  that.'  So  saying,  he  disappeared  down  the 
street. 

"  Agreeably  to  his  instructions,  I  ate  supper — and  heartily  too,  for  we  had 
not  tasted  victuals  since  morning.  I  was  then  shown  to  my  room,  where  I 
waited  patiently  for  about  two  hours.  I  was  still  ignorant  how  the  supper 
was  to  be  paid  for,  when  the  door  opened,  and  Cobb  entered,  A  couple  of 
darkies'  followed  at  his  heels,  carrying  the  box  that  I  had  seen  him  pur- 
chase, upon  the  lid  of  which  was  pamted  in  large  bold  letters  : 


34  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"'THE  WONDERFUL   G  Q YAS-C UTIS !' 

Underneath  was  an  oblong  hole,  or  slit,  newly  chiselled  in  the  wood ! 

"  Cobb  held  in  his  hand  a  broad  sheet  of  paper.  This,  as  soon  as  the  dar- 
kies had  gone  out  of  the  room,  he  spread  upon  the  table,  and,  pointing  to  it, 
triumphantly  exclaimed : 

*< '  There,  now,  Harry,  that's  it  !* 

'  *  What  the  devil  is  it  ?'  asked  I. 

"  *'  Read  for  yourself,  old  fellow  !'  cried  he. 

*  T  commenced  reading : 

'"THE  WONDERFUL   GUYAS-OUTIS! 

" '  Caught  in  the  Wilds  of  Oregon  !  near  the  Boundary  ofbA?  40' ! ! 

"  This  was  in  large  capitals.  Then  followed  the  description  in  smaller 
letters : 

"  '  This  remarkable  animal,  hitherto  unknown  to  the  naturalists,  possesses 
all  the  intelligence  of  the  human,  combined  with  the  ferocity  of  the  tiger,  and 
the  agility  of  the  ourang-outang !  He  is  of  a  bright  sky-blue  color,  with 
eleven  stripes  upon  his  body,  and  one  more  round  his  nose,  which  makes  the 
even  dozen  ;  and  ne'er  a  one  of  them  alike  ! ! 

"  '  In  his  rage,  he  has  been  known  to  carry  Indians  «p  to  the  tops  of  the 
highest  trees,  and  there  leave  them  to  perish  with  hunger,  thirst,  and  cold  ; 
which  accounts  satisfactorily  for  the  uncivilized  nature  of  the  red  man  ! ! 

"  '  Tb-^-  highly-intelligent  citizens  of  Columbia  are  respectfully  informed  that 
this  wonderful  quadruped  has  arrived  among  them,  and  will  be  exhibited  this 
evening,  Tuesday,  at  the  Minerva  Rooms,  at  the  hour  of  eight  o'clock.  Ad- 
mittance 25  cents  !' 

"  '  But,'  said  I,  '  my  dear  Wiley,'  now,  for  the  first  time,  catching  the  idea 
of  Cobb's  project,  'j'ou  don't  intend — ' 

"  '  But  I  do,  though.'  interrupted  he ;  '  and  I  will — that's  as  certain  as  mj 
name's  Wiley  Cobb  of  the  state  of  Georgia.' 

"  '  But  you  do  not  really  think  3'ou  can  gull  the  intelligent  people — ?' 

"  '  Bah  !  intelligent  people  !  it's  plain,  Harry,  you  don't  know  the  world, 
said  Cobb,  contemptuously. 

"  '  And  what  do  you  expect  me  to  do  ?'  I  asked. 

"  Nothing  but  stay  in  this  room  to-morrow,  and  see  that  nobody  peeps  in- 
to that  box.' 

■• '  But,  at  uiglit  V 

" '  At  night  you  will  stand  at  the  door,  take  the  money,  and  when  you 


THK    UIFLE    RANGERS.  35 

hear  me  groan  and  shake  the  chain,  run  in  behind  the  screen — that's  all.' 

'  Beginning  to  look  upon  the  thing  as  a  good  joke,  I  promised  faithfully  to 
follow  Cobb's  instructions  ;  not  without  some  disagreeable  anticipations,  that 
both  he  and  I  would  spend  the  following  night  in  the  Columbia  jail. 

"  Next  morning,  Cobb  was  up  at  an  early  hour ;  and,  after  moaning  pite- 
ously,  and  groaning  in  the  most  hideous  and  frightful  manner,  and  talking  at 
intervals  into  the  box,  as—'  be  still  Guy  !'  '  down  Guy,  down  !'  he  left  tin 
room,  bidding  me  keep  a  sharp  look  out. 

"  As  soon  as  he  had  gone,  I  heard  a  considerable  shuffling  and  whispering 
outside  the  door,  and  presently  a  darkie  looked  in,  and  asked  me  if  I  wanted 
anything. 

"  '  Not  anything,'  said  I ;  don't  come  in  !' 

'•'The  darkie  drew  back  his  head,  with  a  look  of  tenor,  and  pulled  to  thw 
door. 

"  Shortly  after,  the  whispering  re-commenced,  and  the  door  again  opened. 
This  time  it  was  the  landlord  of  the  hotel,  vvhose  curiosity  had  brought  him 
up  to  '  see  the  elephant.' 

"'It's  a  fierce  critter,  that ;'  said  he,  putting  his  head  inside  the  door,  buC 
still  holding  on  to  the  handle. 
«  '  Dreadful !'  said  I. 

« '  Could  I  not  have  a  peep  T  inquired  he. 

« '  It's  against  the  rules,'  answered  I,  '  besides  a  stranger  makes  him  savage  f 
»  '  Oh,  it  does  ?'  said  he,  apologizingly. 
«  '  Terrible  !'  said  I. 

" '  You'll  have  a  good  house,  I  think,'  said  he,  after  a  short  pause. 
"  '  I  hope  so,'  said  I. 

•' '  The  bills  is  out.     Mr.  Van  Amburgh  was  about  putty  early  this  mornin' ' 
" '  Mr.  Van  Amburgh  !'  ejaculated  I. 
"  '  Yes  ;  Mr.  Van  Amburgh — your  partner.' 

« ( Oh ! — yes  ;  Mr.  Van  Amburgh,  my  partner,'  I  chimed  in,  as  I  saw  th»i 
this  must  be  the  new  title  of  my  friend,  Cobb.  '  But  Mr.  Van  Amburgh  did 
not  put  out  the  bills  himself  V 

"  I  said  this  to  cover  the  mistake  I  had  made. 
«  £  Oh — no ;  of  coorse  not,'  replied  the  landlord :  '  he  hired  a  boy.' 
"  '  Certainly — that  was  right,'  I  added. 
"  '  Breakfast  '11  be  ready  in  a  minute ;  ye'll  come  down  V 
"  Oh  !  of  course.' 

•'  At  this,  Boniface  took  himself  off,  to  my  great  satisfaction. 
"  Cobb  now  returned,  bringing  with  him  about  six  feet  of  a  log-chain,  done 
up  in  paper. 


36  THE    KIFLE   RANGERS. 

"After  repeating  his  groaning  and  growling,  we  descended  to  breakf;ist— 
Jobb  first  carefull}'-  locking  the  door,  and  putting  the  key  in  his  pocket. 

"  We  were  evidently  objects  of  great  interest  at  the  breakfast-table — Cobb 
-ailing  me  '  Mr.  Wolfe,'  and  I  addressing  him  as  '  Mr.  Yan  Amburgh.'  The 
servants  waited  upon  us  with  delighted  attention. 

"  After  breakfast,  we  returned  to  the  room,  when  Cobb  again  went  througg 
the  groaning  rehearsal,  and  shortly  after  left  me, 

"  This  he  repeated  at  intervals  during  the  day  ;  upon  each  succeeding  occa- 
>^ion,  louder  and  more  terrific  than  before  ! 

"  Night  came  at  length,  and  with  our  box,  covered  up  in  one  of  the  land- 
.ord's  quilts,  we  started  for  the  Minerva  rooms,  which  I  found  fitted  up  with 
a  running  screen,  and  brilliantly  lighted  with  candles.  Cobb  had  the  box  and 
chain  carried  behind  the  screen,  while  I  remained  at  the  door  to  look  after 
Uie  treasury.  We  had  no  tickets,  each  one  paying  his  or  her  "  quarter,"  and 
passing  in. 

■'  In  a  short  time,  the  room  was  full  of  ladies,  gentlemen,  and  children — 
tradesmen  and  their  wives ;  merchants  and  their  families ;  young  bucks  and 
iheir  sweethearts,  and  even  a  number  of  the  intelligent  members  of  the  Stats 
Assembly  !    Expectation  was  on  tip-toe  to  see  the  'Wonderful  Guyas-Cutis. 

*■'  At  length,  a  low  moaning  was  heard  behind  the  screen. 

"  '  Down  Guy,  down  !  Still  dog,  still !'  cried  a  voice  in  hoarse  commanding 
accents. 

■  The  people  had  now  all  arrived,  and  beg^n  to  stamp  and  clap  their  hands, 
ind  exhibit  the  usual  symptoms  of  impatience,  crying  out  at  intervals  The 
Guyas-Cutis!  the  Guyas-Cutis!' 

" '  Bring  him  out,  Mr.  Showman  ;  trot  him  out !' 

"  '  Let  us  see  the  savage  varmint !' 

"  The  Guyas-Cutis  growled  fearfully. 

*' '  Give  him  a  bone !'  cried  one. 

" '  Go  it,  old  fifty-four  forty  !'  exclaimed  a'liothcr 

"  '  The  whole,  or  none  !'  shouted  a  third. 

"  '  Fifty-four  forty,  or  fight !'  cried  a  fourth. 

"  '  Go  it  old  K.  Polk  !'  from  a  distant  part  of  the  room. 

"  At  this,  the  audience  became  convulsed  with  laughter.  The  groaning 
^rew  louder  and  more  terrible ;  and  Cobb's  voice  was  heard  in  hoarse  accents, 
apostrophizing  the  Guyas-Cutis.  Then  was  heard  a  struggle  behind  the 
v;roen,  followed  by  the  rattling  of  a  chain. 

'•  Tliis  was  my  cue.  Putting  on  a  look  of  terror — as  I  had  been  instructed 
tjy  Coljb— I  iiislicd  up  the  open  si)ace  between  tlie  spectators,  and  pushed  in 


TUB    KIFLE    RANGERS.  37 

behind  the  curtain.  1  stole  a  glance  backward,  as  I  entered,  and  saw  that  tho 
audience  had  already  caught  the  alarm.  Some  of  the  people  had  risen  to  their 
feet,  and  stood  pale  and  trembling !  Behind  the  screen,  Cobb  was  running  to 
and  fro,  scraping  the  sanded  floor,  rattling  the  chain,  and  chiding  an  imaginary 
object  in  the  most  threatening  accents!  He  was  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  and 
streams  of  what  appeared  to  be  blood  were  running  over  his  face,  neck  and 
bosom ! 

" '  Down,  savage ;  down  !'  cried  Cobb. 

" '  Boo-boo,  cow-wow  !'  growled  the  Guyas-Outis 

"'Oh,  Mr.  Wolfe,"  cried  Cobb,  ' come  here — help !  help,  or  he'll  be  off!' 

" '  Hold  on  to  him  !'  shouted  I,  in  a  loud  voice,  '  hold  on  !' 

"  '  Bow-oow,  wow-awow  !'  roared  the  Guyas-Cutis. 

"'Help, help!"  cried  Cobb. 

" '  Hold  on !'  shouted  I. 

"  Cobb  seized  the  chain  in  both  hands,  and,  after  giving  it  a  fierce  rattle 
rushed  in  front  of  the  screen,  shouting  in  a  voice  of  thunder : 

" '  Save  yourselves,  gentlemen  !  Save  your  wives  and  children  !  The 
Gxiyas-Cutis  is  loose  P 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  Blov^hard,  drawing  a  long  breath,  "  it's  more  than  1 
can  do  to  describe  the  scene  that  followed.  In  less  than  two  minutes  the  room 
was  empty ;  and  when  Cobb  and  mj^self  reached  the  street,  there  was  not  a 
soul — man,  woman,  or  child — to  be  seen !  We  hurried  to  the  hotel,  and 
ordered  our  horses  to  be  saddled  with  all  dispatch,  Cobb  telling  the  landlord 
that  the  Guyas-Cutis  had  taken  to  the  fields,  and  we  must  pursae  him  on 
horseback !  While  our  horses  were  being  saddled,  we  settled  the  landlord's 
bill  out  of  our  newly-acquired  funds.  Starting  at  a  brisk  gallop,  we  did  not 
draw  bridle  until  we  had  put  twenty  miles  between  us  and  the  good  city  of 
Columbia  Then  we  halted,  and  counted  our  receipts  which  amounted  to — 
how  much,  Mr.  Cobb  ?" 

"  Sixty-six  dollars  seventy-five  cents,  to  a  figger,"  said  a  tall  swarthy  per- 
sonage, who  sate  someway  down  the  table,  and  whose  dark,  saturnine  coun- 
tenance would  never  have  betrayed  him  as  the  hero  of  the  story  j  but  it  was 
he,  indeed  ;  and  peals  of  laughter  followed  the  discovery. 

"  Now  the  ]Major  !  the  Major  !"  shouted  several  voices. 
At  that  moment,  the  report  of  a  musket  was  heard  without  the  tent,  and 
simultaneously  a  bullet  whistled  through  the  canvass.     It  knocked  the  fora- 


38  THE    rJFLE    RANGEES. 

ging  cap  from  the  head  of  Captain  llennessy,  and,  striking  a  decanter,  shivered 
the  glass  into  a  thousand  pieces  ! 

"  A  divilish  nate  sliot  that,  I  don't  care  who  fired  it,"  said  Hennessy,  coolly 
picking  up  his  cap.  "  An  inch  of  a  miss— good  as  a  mile,"  added  he,  thrusting 
his  thumb  into  the  bullet-hole. 

By  this  time,  every  oflBcer  present  was  upon  his  feet,  most  of  them  rushing 
towards  the  front  of  the  marquee.     A  dozen  voices  called  out  together : 

"  "Who  fired  that  gun  ?" 

There  was  no  answer,  and  several  plunged  into  the  thicket  in  pursuit.  The 
chapparal  was  dark  and  silent,  and  these  returned  after  a  fruitless  search. 

"  Some  soldier,  whose  musket  has  gone  off  by  accident,"  suggested  Colonel 
Harding.     "  The  fellow  has  run  away,  to  avoid  being  put  under  arrest." 

"  Come,  gentlemen,  take  your  sates  again,"  said  Hennessy ;  let  the  pocw 
divil  slide — yez  may  be  thankful  it  wasn't  a  shell." 

"  You,  Captain,  have  most  cause  to  be  grateful  for  the  character  of  the  mis 
sile." 

"By  my  sowl,  I  don't  know  about  that — a  shell  or  a  twenty-four  would 
have  grazed  me  all  the  same ;  but  a  big  shot  would  have  been  mighty  incon- 
vanient  to  the  head  of  my  friend  Haller,  here." 

This  was  true.  My  head  was  nearly  in  range ;  and,  had  the  shot  been  a 
large  one,  it  would  have  struck  me  upon  the  left  temple.  As  it  was,  I  felt  the 
"  wind"  of  the  bullet,  and  I  already  began  to  suffer  a  painful  sensation  over 
the  eye. 

"  I'm  mighty  curious  to  know  which  of  us  the  fellow  has  missed,  Captain,'' 
said  Hennessy,  turning  to  me  as  he  spoke, 

"  If  it  were  not  a  '  bull,'  I  should  say  I  hope  neither  of  us.  I'm  inclined  to 
think  with  Colonel  Harding,  that  it  was  altogether  an  accident." 

"  By  the  powers !  an  ugly  accident,  too,  that  has  spoiled  five  dollars'  worth 
of  an  illigant  cap,  and  a  pint  of  as  good  brandy  as  ever  was  mixed  with  a 
lemon." 

"  Plenty  left.  Captain,"  cri'^d  the  Major.  "  Come,  gentlemen,  don't  let  this 
damp  us :— fill  up  !  fill  up  !  Adge,  out  with  the  corks !  Cudjo,  where's  the 
screw  ? — curse  that  screw !" 

"  Never  mind  the  screw,  Mage,"  cried  the  Adjutant,  repeating  his  old  trick 
upon  the  neck  of  a  fresh  bottle,  which,  nipped  off  under  the  wire,  fell  upon  a 
heap  of  others  that  had  preceded  it. 

And  the  wine  again  foamed  and  sparkled  j  ard  glasses  circled  round     and 


THE    RIFLK    RANGERS.  39 

the  noisy  rerelry  waxed  as  loud  as  ever.  The  inciaent  of  the  shot  was  soon 
forgotten.  Songs  were  sung,  and  stories  told,  and  toasts  drank ;  and  with 
eong  and  sentiment,  and  toast  and  story,  and  the  wild  excitement  of  wit  and 
wme,  the  night  waned  away.  "With  many  of  those  young  hearts,  bold  with 
hope,  and  burning  with  ambition,  it  was  the  last  "  Twenty  Second"  their 
would  ever  celebrate.    Half  of  them  neyer  hailed  another ! 


CHAPTER    VI. 

MOONLIGHT    SCENE — A    SPY    IN    CAMP — A    SKELETON    ADVENTDRE. 

It  was  past  midnight  when  I  withdrew  from  the  scene  of  wassail.  Clayle^ 
was  one  of  those  tireless  spirits,  who  could  "  drink  all  night  till  broad  day- 
light ;"  and,  as  he  preferred  remaining  for  some  time  longer,  I  walked  out 
alone.  My  blood  was  flushed,  and  I  strolled  down  upon  the  beach,  to  enjoy 
the  cool,  fresh  breeze  that  was  blowing  in  from  the  ocean. 

The  scene  before  me  was  one  of  picturesque  grandeur,  and  I  paused  a  mo- 
ment to  gaze  upon  it.     The  wine  even  heightened  its  loveliness  to  an  illusion. 

The  full,  round  moon  of  the  tropics  was  sweeping  over  a  sky  of  cloudless 
blue.  The  stars  were  eclipsed,  and  scarcely  visible — except  a  few  of  the  larger 
ones,  as  the  belt  of  Orion,  the  planet  Venus,  and  the  luminous  radii  of  the 
Southern  Cross. 

From  my  feet,  a  broad  band  of  silver  stretched  away  to  the  horizon, 
marking  the  meridian  of  the  moon.  This  was  broken  by  the  line  of  coral 
reef,  over  which  the  surf  curled  and  sparkled  with  a  phosphoric  brightness. 
The  reef  itself,  running  all  around,  seemed  to  gird  the  islet  in  a  circle  of  fire ! 
Here  only  were  the  w.aves  in  motion,  as  if  pressed  by  some  subaqueous  and 
invisible  power ;  for  beyond,  scarcely  a  breath  stirred  the  sleeping  sea !  It 
lay  smooth  and  silent,  while  a  satellite  sky  seemed  caved  out  in  its  azure 
depths! 

On  the  south,  a  hundred  ships  were  in  the  deep  roadstead,  a  cable's 
length  from  each  other — their  hulls,  spars  and  rigging  magnified  to  gigantic 
jjioportions,  under  the  deceptive  and  tremulous  moonbeam.  They  were 
motionless  as  if  the  sea  had  been  frozen  around  them  into  a  solid  cr^-stal  I 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS.  41 

Their  flags  drooped  listlessly  down,  trailing  along  the  masts,  or  warped  ana 
twined  around  the  haulyards. 

Up  against  the  easy  ascent  extended  the  long  rows  of  white  tents,  shining 
under  the  silvery  moonbeam,  like  pyramids  of  snow.  In  one  a  light  was 
still  gleaming  through  the  canvass,  where,  perchance,  some  soldier  sate  up 
wearily  wiping  his  gun,  or  burnishing  the  brasses  upon  his  belts. 

Now  and  then  dark  forms — human  and  uniformed — passed  to  and  fro. 
from  tent  to  tent,  returning  from  the  visit  to  some  regimental  comrade.  At 
equal  distances  round  the  camp,  others  stood  upright  and  motionless,  tho 
gleam  of  the  musket  showing  the  sentry  on  his  silent  post. 

The  plunge  of  an  oar — as  some  boat  was  rowed  out  among  the  anchored 
ships — the  ripple  of  the  light  breaker — it  intervals  the  hail  of  a  sentinel: 
"  "Who  goes  there  ?" — the  low  parley  that  followed — the  chirp  of  the  cicada 
in  the  dark  jungle — or  the  scream  of  the  sea-bird,  scared,  by  some  sub- 
marine enemy,  from  its  watery  rest — were  the  only  sounds  that  disturbed 
the  deep  stillness  of  the  night. 

I  continued  my  walk  along  the  beach,  until  I  had  reached  that  point  of  the 
island  directly  opposite  to  the  mainland  of  Mexico.  Here  the  chapparal  grew 
thick  and  tangled,  running  down  to  the  water's  edge,  where  it  ended  in  a 
clump  of  mangroves.  As  no  troops  were  encamped  here,  the  islet  had  not 
been  cleared  at  this  point,  and  the  jungle  was  dark  and  solitary. 

The  moon  was  now  going  down,  and  straggling  shadows  began  to  fall 
upon  the  water. 

"  Certainly  some  one  skulked  into  the  bushes  ! — a  rustling  in  the  leaves — 
yes !  some  fellow  who  has  strayed  beyond  the  line  of  sentries,  and  afraid  to 
return  to  camp  1  Ha  !  a  boat !  a  skiff  it  is — a  net  and  buoys !  As  I  live, 
'tis  a  Mexican  craft !  who  can  have  brought  it  here  ?  Some  fisherman  from 
tlie  coast  of  Tuspan.*  No — be  would  not  venture — it  must  be — "  A  strange 
suspicion  flashed  across  my  mind,  and  I  rushed  through  the  mangrove 
thicket,  where  I  had  observed  the  object  a  moment  before.  I  had  not  pro 
ceeded  fifty  yards,  when  I  saw  the  folly  of  this  movement.  I  found  myself 
in  the  midst  of  a  labyrinth,  dark  and  dismal,  surrounded  by  a  wall  of  leaves 
and  brambles.  Vines  and  lianas  barred  up  the  path,  and  lactd  the  limbs 
together. 

"  If  they  be  spies,  I  have  taken  the  worst  plan  to  catch  them.  I  may  as 
well  go  through  now.  I  cannot  be  distant  from  the  rear  of  the  camp.  Ugh  I 
how  dismal !" 

'  The  village  of  Tuspan  is  nearly  opposite  Lobos,  on  ttio  mainland. 


42  THE    KIFLE    KANGER8. 

I  pushed  on,  climbing  over  fallen  trunks,  and  twining  myself  through  the 
viny  cordage.  The  creepers  clung  to  my  neck — thorns  penetrated  my  skin — 
the  mezquite  slapped  me  in  the  facu.  drawing  blood !  I  laid  my  hand  upon 
a  pendant  limb  ;  a  clammy  object  struggled  under  my  touch,  with  a  terrified 
yet  spiteful  violence,  and  freeing  itself,  sprang  over  my  shoulder,  and  scamp- 
ered off  among  the  fallen  leaves.  I  felt  its  fetid  breath,  as  the  cold  scales 
brushed  against  my  cheek.     It  was  the  hideous  Iguana ! 

A  huge  bat  flapped  its  sail-like  wing  in  my  face,  and  returned  again  and 
again,  breathing  a  mephitic  odor  that  caused  me  to  gasp  !  Twice  I  struck  at 
it  with  my  sword,  cutting  only  the  empty  air.  A  third  time  my  blade  was 
caught  in  the  trellis  of  parasites.  It  was  horrible ;  I  felt  terrified  with  such 
strange  enemies. 

At  length,  after  a  continued  struggle,  an  opening  appeared  before  me — a 
glade  i  I  rushed  to  the  welcome  spot. 

"  What  a  relief !"  I  ejaculated,  emerging  from  the  leafy  darkness.  Suddenly, 
i  started  back  with  a  cry  of  horror ;  my  limbs  refused  to  act ;  the  sword  fell 
from  my  grasp  ;  and  I  stood  palsied  and  transfixed,  as  if  by  a  bolt  from  heaven  ! 

Before  me,  and  not  over  three  paces  distant,  the  image  of  death  itself  rose 
out  Oi"  the  earth,  and  stretched  forth  his  skeleton  arms  to  clutch  me  !  It  was 
no  phant(  m.  There  was  the  white  naked  skull,  with  its  eyeless  sockets  ;  tho 
long  fleshlcss  limbs  ;  the  open,  serrated  ribs;  th«  long  jointed  fingers  of  death 
itself! 

As  my  bewildered  brain  took  in  these  objects,  I  heard  a  noise  in  the  bushes, 
as  of  persons  engaged  in  an  angry  struggle. 

" Emile  !  Emile !"  cried  a  female  voice,  "you  shall  not  murder  him — you 
shall  not !'' 

"  Off!  off"!  Marie,  let  me  go  !"  was  shouted  in  the  rough  accents  of  a  man. 

"  Oh,  no  !"  continued  the  female,  "  you  shall  not — no — no — no  !" 

"  Curses  on  the  woman  !  there !  let  me  go  now  !" 

There  was  a  sound  as  of  some  one  struck  with  violence — a  scream  ;  and,  at 
the  same  moment,  a  human  figure  rushed  out  of  the  bushes,  and,  confronting 
me,  exclaimed: 

"  Ila !  [Monsieur  le  Capitaine  !  coup  pour  coup !" 

I  hoard  no  more ;  a  heavy  blow  descending  upon  my  temples,  deprived  mo 
of  all  power  and  I  fell  senseless  to  the  earth 

When  I  returned  to  consciousness,  the  first  objects  I  saw  were  the  huge 
brown  whiskers  of  Lincoln  ;  then  Lincoln  himself— then  the  pale  face  of  the 
boy  Jack  ;  and  finally,  tlie  forms  of  several  soldiers  of  my  company.  I  saw- 
that  I  was  in  my  own  tent,  and  stretched  upon  my  camp-bod. 


THE   RTFLE    KANGRES.  45 

"  What  ?  how  ?  what's  the  matter  ? — what's  this  ?"  I  said,  raising  my 
hands  to  the  bandage  of  wet  linen  that  bound  my  temples. 

'•'  Keep  still,  Cap'n  !"  said  Bob,  taking  my  hand  from  the  fillet,  and  placing 
it  by  my  side. 

''  Och !  by  my  sowl,  he's  over  it ;  thank  the  Lord  for  his  goodness !"  said 
Ohane,  an  Irish  soldier, 

"  Over  what  ?  what  has  happened  to  me  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  Och,  Captin,  yer  honnor.  you've  been  nearly  murthered,  and  all  by  thim 
Frinch  schoundrels  ;  bad  luck  to  their  dirty  frog-atin  picthers  !" 

"  Murdered  !  French  scoundrels !  Bob,  what  is  it  ?" 

"  Why,  yer  see,  Cap'n.  ye've  had  a  cut  yeer  over  the  head  ;  and  we  think 
it's  them  Frenchmen." 

"  Oh !  I  remember  now  ;  a  blow — but  the  death  ? — the  death  ?" 

I  started  up  from  the  bed,  as  the  phantom  of  my  night  adventure  returned 
to  my  imagination. 

"  The  death,  Cap'n  ? — what  do  yer  mean  ?"  inquired  Lincoln,  holding  mc 
in  his  strong  arms. 

"  Oh  !  the  Cap'n  manes  the  skilleton,  may  be,"  said  Chane. 

"  What  skeleton  ?"  I  demanded. 

"  Why,  an  owld  skilleton'*  the  boys  found  in  the  chapparil,  yer  honncr. 
They  hung  it  to  a  three  ;  and  we  found  yer  honner  there,  with  the  skilleton 
swinging  over  yez  like  a  sign.     Och  !  the  Frinch  bastes  !" 

I  made  no  further  inquiries  about  the  "  death." 

'■  But  where  are  the  Frenchmen  ?"  asked  I,  after  a  moment. 

"  Clane  gone,  yer  honner,"  replied  Chane. 

"Gone?" 

"  Yes,  Cap'n  ;  thet's  so  as  he  sez  it,"  answered  Lincoln. 

"  Gone  ! — what  do  you  mean  ?"  I  inquired. 

"Desarted,  Cap'n." 

"  How  do  you  know  that  ?" 

"  Because  the  yaint  here." 

«  On  the  island  ?" 

"  Sarched  it  all,  every  bush." 

"  But  who  ?  which  of  the  French  ?" 

*  Lobos  -was  a  noted  resort  of  the  West  Indian  pirates.  Many  souvenirs  of  these 
fentry  were  found  upon  the  island :  a  human  skeleton,  also ;  but  whether  some  nj. 
ttm  of  the  freebooters,  cr  not,  ia  left  to  the  speculations  of  the  curious 


44  TUE   RIFLE   KANGEE3. 

"  Dubrosc  and  that  ere  boy  that  was  always  with  him  ;  both  desarted." 

**  Ay,  and  the  devil  go  wid  them !  He'll  niver  hive  his  own  till  he  gets  • 
hoult  ov  Misther  Dubrosc ;  bad  'cess  to  him  !" 

"  You  are  sure  they  are  missing  ?" 

"  Looked  high  and  low,  Cap'n.  Gravenitz  seed  Dubrosc  steal  into  the 
chapparil  with  his  musket.  Shortly  afterwards  we  heern  a  shot ;  but  thought 
nothin'  of  it  till  this  mornin',  when  one  of  the  sodgers  foun'  a  Spanish  som- 
brary  out  thar ;  and  Nath  heern  some'dy  say  the  shot  passed  through  Major 
Twing's  markey.  Besides,  we  foun'  this  yeer  butcher-knife  where  yer  was 
layin'." 

Lincoln  here  held  up  a  species  of  Mexican  sword  called  a  machete.* 

«  Ha !— well  ?" 

"  That's  all,  Cap'n  ;  only  it's  my  belief,  there  was  Mexikins  on  this  island, 
alid  them  Frenchmen's  gone  with  them." 

After  Lincoln  left  me,  I  lay  musing  on  this  still  somewhat  mysterious  af- 
fair. Mj  memory,  however,  gradually  grew  clearer ;  and  the  events  of  the 
preceding  night,  soon  became  linked  together,  and  formed  a  complete  cham. 
The  shot  that  passed  so  near  my  head  in  Twing's  tent — the  boat — the  French 
words  I  had  heard  before  I  received  the  blow — and  the  exclamation,  "  coup 
pour  coup  !"  all  cojivinced  me,  that  Lincoln's  conjectures  were  right. 

Dubrosc  had  fired  the  shot,  and  struck  the  blow  that  had  left  me  senseless. 

But  who  could  the  woman  be,  whose  voice  I  had  heard  pleading  in  my  b&- 
half? 

My  thoughts  reverted  to  the  boy,  who  had  gone  off  with  Dubrosc ;  and 
whom  I  had  observed  often  in  the  company  of  the  latter.  A  strange  attach- 
ment appeared  to  exist  between  them ;  in  which  the  boy  seemed  to  be  the 
devoted  slave  of  the  strong  fierce  Frenchman — Could  this  be  a  woman  1 

I  recollected  having  been  struck  with  his  delicate  features,  the  softness  ot 
his  voice  and  the  smallncss  of  his  hands.  There  were  other  points  besides,  in 
the  toumure  of  the  boy's  figure,  that  had  appeared  singular  to  me.  I  had 
frequently  observed  the  eyes  of  this  lad  bent  upon  me,  when  Dubrosc  was  not 
present,  with  a  strange  and  unaccountable  expression ! 

Many  other  peculiarities  connected  with  the  boy  and  Dubrosc,  which  at 
the  time  had  passed  unnoticed  and  unheeded,  now  presented  themselves  to  my 
recollection,  all  tending  to  prove  the  identity  of  the  boy  with  the  womaa 
whose  voice  I  had  heard  in  the  thicket. 

*  Tho  Macleti  is  a  half-sword— half-knife 


THE    KIFLE    KAJMGKKS.  45 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  night's  adventures  ;  determined,  howereir, 
to  conceal  that  part  which  related  to  the  skeleton. 

In  a  few  days,  my  strength  was  restored.  The  cut  I  had  received  was  not 
deep,  thanks  to  my  forage  cap,  and  the  dullness  of  the  Frenchman's  weapon. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE    LANDING   AT    SACRIFICIOS. 

Eakly  in  the  month  of  March,  the  troops  at  Lobos  wore  re-embarked,  and 
dropped  down  to  the  roadstead  of  Anton  Lizardo.*  The  American  fleet  waa 
already  at  anchor  there,  and  in  a  few  days  above  a  hundred  sail  had  joined  it . 
There  is  no  city,  no  village,  hardly  a  habitation  upon  this  half-desert  coast 
The  aspect  is  a  series  of  hirsute  hills,  rendered  picturesque  by  the  plumed 
frondage  of  the  palm  tree. 

"We  dared  not  go  ashore,  although  the  smooth,  white  beach,  tempted  us 
strongly.  A  large  body  of  the  enemy  was  encamped  behind  the  adjacent 
hills;  and  patrols  could  be  seen,  at  intervals,  gallopping  along  the  shore. 

I  could  not  help  fancying  what  must  have  been  the  feeling  of  the  inhabitants 
in  regard  to  our  ships — a  strange  sight  upon  this  desert  coast,  and  not  a  pleas- 
ing one  to  them,  knowing  that  within  those  dark  hulls  were  concealed  the 
hosts  of  their  armed  invaders.  Laocoon  looked  not  with  more  dread  upon 
the  huge  ribs  of  the  Danaic  horse,  than  did  the  simple  peasant  of  Anahuac 
upon  this  fleet  of  "  oak  Leviathans,"  that  lay  within  so  short  a  distance  of  his 


To  us  the  scene  possessed  an  interest  of  a  far  different  character.  We  looked 
proudly  upon  these  magnificant  modelb*  of  naval  architecture — upon  their  size, 
their  number  and  their  admirable  adaptation.  "VTe  viewed  with  a  changing 
cheek,  and  a  kindling  eye  this  noble  exhibition  of  a  free  people's  strength ; 
and  as  the  broad  banner  of  our  country  swung  out  upon  the  breeze  of  tho 
*  Az  aocborage  thirtMQ  miles  froa<  Vera  Crui,  domi  the  ooaat 


THE    RIFLE    KANGKKS.  47 

tropics,  we  could  not  help  exulting  in  the  glory  of  that  great  nation  whoso 
uniform  we  wore  around  our  bodies. 

It  was  no  dream.  We  saw  the  burnished  gun  and  the  bright  epaulette — 
the  gleaming  button,  and  the  glancing  bayonet.  We  heard  the  startling 
trumpet,  the  stirring  drum,  and  the  shrill  and  thrilling  fife ;  and  our  souLa 
drank  in  all  those  glorious  sights  and  souads  that  form  at  once  the  spirit  and 
the  witchery  of  war  ! 

The  landing  was  to  take  place  on  the  9th ;  and  the  point  of  debarkation 
fixed  upon  was  the  beach  opposite  the  island  of  Sacrificios,  just  out  of  range 
of  the  guns  of  Vera  Cruz. 

The  9th  of  March  rose  like  a  dream,  bright,  balmy,  and  beautiful.  The  sea 
was  scarce  stirred  by  the  gentlest  breeze  of  ttie  tropics ;  but  this  breeze,  light 
as  it  was,  blew  directly,  in  our  favor. 

At  an  early  hour,  I  observed  a  strange  movement  among  the  ships  com- 
posing the  fleet.  Signals  were  changing  in  quick  succession ;  and  boats  glid- 
ing rapidly  to  and  fro. 

Before  daybreak  the  huge  surf-boats  had  been  drawn  down  from  their 
moorings  ;  and  with  long  hempen  hawsers  attached  to  the  ships  and  steamers. 

The  descent  was  about  to  be  made.  The  ominous  cloud  which  had  hung 
dark  and  threatening  over  the  shores  of  Mexico  was  about  to  burst  upon  that 
devoted  land  !  But  where  ?  The  enemy  could  not  tell,  and  were  preparing 
to  receive  us  on  the  adjacent  shore  ! 

The  black  cylinder  began  to  smoke,  and  the  murky  cloud  rolled  down  upon 
the  water,  half  obscuring  the  fleet.  Here  and  there  a  broad  sail,  freshly  un- 
furled, hung  stiffly  from  the  yard  ;  the  canvass  escaping  from  its  gasket  fast- 
enings, had  not  yet  been  braced  round  to  the  breeze. 

Soldiers  were  seen  standing  along  the  decks;  some  in  full  equipments, 
clutching  the  bright  barrels  of  their  muskets — while  others  were  buckling  on 
their  white  belts,  or  cramming  their  cartouche  boxes. 

OQicers,  in  sash  and  sword,  paced  the  polished  quarter-decks,  or  talked 
earnestly  in  groups,  or  watched,  with  eager  eyes,  the  motions  of  the  various 
fihips. 

Unusual  souuds  were  heard  on  all  sides.  The  deep-toned  chorus  of  the 
sailor — the  creaking  of  the  capstan,  and  the  clanking  of  the  iron  cogs — the 
"  heave-ho  !"  at  the  windlass,  and  the  grating  of  the  huge  anchor-chain,  as 
link  after  link  rasped  through  the  rusty  ring — sounds  that  M'arned  us  to  make 
J  cady  for  a  change. 

In  the  midst  of  these  came  the  brisk  rolling  of  a  drum.  It  was  answered 
by  another,  and  another,  and  still  another,  until  all  voices  were  drowned  by 


48  TllK    KIFLE    KANGERS. 

the  deafening  noise.  Then  followed  the  mingling  shouts  of  command — a 
rushing  over  the  decks — and  streams  of  blue-clad  men  poured  down  the  dark 
F>ides,  and  seated  themselves  in  the  surf-boats.  These  were  filled  in  a  twink- 
ling, and  all  was  silent  as  before.  Every  voice  was  hushed  m  expectation, 
and  every  eye  bent  upon  the  little  black  steamer,  which  carried  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. 

Suddenly  a  cloud  of  smoke  rose  up  from  her  quarter  ;  a  sheet  of  flame  shot 
out  horizontally ;  and  the  report  of  a  heavy  gun  shook  the  atmosphere  like  an 
earthquake.  Before  its  echoes  had  subsided,  a  deafening  cheer  ran  simulta- 
neously through  the  fleet ;  and  the  ships,  all  together,  as  if  impelled  by  some 
hidden  and  supernatural  power,  broke  from  their  moorings,  and  dashed 
through  the  water  with  the  velocity  of  the  wind  !  Away  to  the  north-west, 
in  an  exciting  race ;  away  for  the  isle  of  Sacrificios  ! 

On  struggled  the  ships,  bending  to  the  breeze,  and  cleaving  the  crystal 
waves  with  their  bold  bows  ;  on  the  steamers,  beating  the  blue  water  into  a 
milky-way,  and  dragging  laden  boats  in  their  foamy  track  !  On  followed  the 
boats  through  the  hissing  and  frothy  cauldron  !  Loud  rolled  the  drum,  loud 
brayed  the  bugle,  and  loud  huzzas  echoed  from  the  adjacent  shores  ! 

Alreadj'-  the  foe  was  alarmed  and  alert.  Light  horsemen  with  streaming 
haste  gallopped  up  the  coast.  Lancers,  with  gay  trappings  and  long  pennons, 
appeared  through  the  openings  of  the  hills.  Foaming,  prancing  steeds  flew, 
with  light  artillery  over  the  naked  ridges,  dashing  madly  down  deep  defiles, 
and  crushing  the  cactus  with  iheir  whirling  wheels.  "  Andela  !  Andela  *"* 
was  their  cry.  In  vain,  they  urged  tlieir  horses — in  vain,  they  drove  the 
spur  deep  and  bloody  in  their  smoking  sides.  The  elements  were  against 
them,  and  in  favor  of  their  foes. 

The  earth  and  the  water  were  their  impediments,  while  the  air  and  the 
water  were  the  allies  of  their  enemies.  Tliey  clung  and  sweltered  through 
the  hot  and  yielding  sand,  or  sank  in  the  marshy  borders  of  the  Mandiuga 
and  the  ]\Iedellin,  while  steam  and  the  wind  drove  the  ships  of  their  adver- 
saries like  arrows  through  the  water ! 

The  alarm  spread  up  the  coast.  Bugles  were  sounding,  and  horsemen 
gallopped  through  the  streets  of  Vera  Cruz.  The  alarm-drum  beat  in  the 
piazza,  and  the  long  roll  echoed  in  every  cuartel! 

Signal  rockets  shot  up  from  San  Juan,  and  wero  answered  by  others  from 
Santiago  and  Concepcion ! 

Thousands  of  dark  forms  clustered  upon  the  roofs  of  the  city  and  the  ram 

*  A  charging  sbout,  synonyinoiut  with  our  "  Forward  !" 


THK    KIFI,K    ^^■  ANGERS.  7^. 

"Guerillas,  by  Jovo!"  excliiiiued  Ckijley,  in  a  voice  of  feigned  terror ;  am 
he  pointed  to  the  scarlet  sash,  which  was  twisted  round  the  man's  waist. 

The  Major  looked  round  for  some  object,  where  he  might  shelter  himself  in 
case  of  a  skirmish.  He  was  sidling  behind  a  high  point  of  the  parapet,  whe; 
the  stranger  rushed  forward,  and,  throwing  both  arms  about  his  neck,  pouro. 
forth  a  perfect  cataract  of  Spanish,  in  which  the  word  g^racias  was  of  frequeni 
occurence. 

"  What  does  the  man  mean  with  his  grashes  ?"  exclaimed  the  Major,  strut:- 
gling  to  free  himself  from  the  JMexican. 

But  the  latter  did  not  hear  him,  for  his  eye  at  that  moment  rested  upon  m: 
dripping  habiliments ;  and,  dropping  the  Major,  he  transferred  his  embrace 
and  g-racias  to  me. 

Seiior  Capitan,',  he  said,  still  speaking  in  Spanish,  and  hugging  me  Jikc;  r 
Dear,  "  accept  my  thanks.  Ah  sir !  you  have  saved  my  children ;  kow  cai 
I  show  you  my  gratitude  ?" 

Here  followed  a  multitude  of  those  complimentary  expressions,  peculiar  t' 
the  language  of  Cervantes,  which  ended  by  his  offering  me  his  house,  and  a! 
it  contained. 

I  bowed  in  acknowledgement  of  his  courtesy,  apologising  for  being  so  ii ; 
prepared  to  receive  his  "hug  "as  I  observed  that  ray  saturated  vestments 
had  wet  the  old  fellow  to  the  skin. 

I  had  now  time  to  examine  the  stranger,  who  was  a  tall,  thin,  sallow  cic 
gentleman,  with  a  face  at  once  Spanish  and  intelligent.  His  hair  was  whiic 
and  short,  while  a  moustache,  somewhat  grizzled,  shaded  his  fine  lips.  Jet 
black  brows  projected  over  a  pair  of  keen  and  sparkling  eyes.  His  dress  was 
a  round-about  of  the  finest  white  linen,  with  vest  and  pantaloons  of  the  same- 
material — the  latter  fastened  round  the  waist  by  a  scarf  of  bright  red  silk. 
Shoes  of  green  morocco  covered  his  small  feet ;  while  a  broad  Guyaquil  hat 
shaded  his  face  from  the  sun. 

Though  his  costume  was  trans-Atlantic — speaking  in  reference  to  Old 
Spain — there  was  that  in  his  air  and  manner  that  bespoke  him  a  hidalgo. 

After  a  moment's  observation,  I  proceeded,  in  my  best  Spanish,  to  express 
my  regret  for  the  fright  which  the  young  ladies — his  daughters,  I  presumed — 
fcad  suffered. 

The  Mexican  looked  at  me  with  a  slight  appearance  of  surprise. 

"  Why,  Sefior  Capitan,"  said  he,  "  your  accent — you  are  a  foreigner  ?" 

'  A  foreigner  !     To  Mexico  did  you  mean  ?" 

«  Yes  Seffor.     Is  it  not  so  ?" 


74  THK    KIKLIC    KANGKK^. 

"  Oh !  of  course  !"  answered  I,  smiling,  and  somewhat  puzzled  in  turn. 

"  And  how  long  have  you  been  in  the  array_  Sofior  CapitaJi  ?" 

"  But  a  short  time." 

"  How  do  you  like  Mexico,  Sefior  ?" 

"^  I  have  seen  but  little  of  it  as  yet." 

"  Why,  how  long  have  you  been  in  the  country  then  ?" 

"  Three  days,"  answered  I,  "  we  landed  on  the  9th." 

"  Por  dios !  three  days,  and  in  the  array  already  !"  nmttei-ed  the  Spaniard, 
throwing  up  his  eyes  in  unaffected  surprise. 

I  began  to  think  I  was  interrogated  by  a  lunatic. 

^  May  I  ask  what  countryman  you  are  ?"  continued  the  old  gentleman. 

"What  countryman?     An  American,  of  course." 

"  An  American." 

"  Un  Americano"  repeated  I ;  for  we  were  conversing  in  Spanish. 

"  Y S071  esos  Americanos  ?"  (and  are  these  Americans?)  quickly  demanded 
my  new  acquaintance. 

"  Si,  Senor,''  replied  I, 

"  Carrambo .'"  shouted  the  Spaniard,  with  a  sudden  leap,  his  eyes  almost 
starting  from  their  sockets. 

'■  I  should  say,  not  exactly  Americans,"  I  added.  "  Many  of  them  are 
Irish,  and  French,  and  Germans,  and  Swedes,  and  Swiss ;  yet,  they  are  all 
Americans,  now." 

But  the  Mexican  did  not  stay  to  hear  my  explanation.  After  recovering 
from  the  first  shock  of  surprise,  he  had  bounded  through  the  grove ;  and,  with 
a  wave  of  his  hand,  and  the  ejaculation,  "  esparte .'"  disappeared  among  the 
plantains.  The  men,  who  had  gathered  around  the  lower  end  of  the  basin, 
burst  out  into  a  roar  of  laughter,  which  I  did  not  attempt  to  repress.  The 
look  of  terrified  astonishment  of  the  old  Don  had  been  too  much  for  my  own 
gravity ;  and  I  could  not  help  being  amused  at  the  conversation  tha*.  ensued 
among  the  soldiers.  They  were  at  some  distance,  yet  I  could  overhear  their 
remarks. 

"  That  Mexikin's  an  unhospitable  cuss  !"'  muttered  Lincoln,  with  an  expres- 
sion of  contempt. 

"  lie  might  av  axed  the  Captain  to  dhriuk,  after  savin  such  a  pair  of  illigant 
craythers,"  said  Chane. 

"  Sorra  dhrap's  in  the  house,  ^lurt ;  the  place  looks  dry." 

•*  Och!  an  it's  ?  beautiful  cage,  any  how"  returned  the  other,  "and  beai*- 


THE    KIKLK    KANCxllKd.  75 

tiful  birds  in  it,  too— it  puts  me  in  mind  of  ould  Dimmerary  ;*  but  there  we 
had  the  liquor,  the  raal  rum — oshins  of  it,  allanna  !" 

"  That  ere  chap's  a  greelye,  I  strongly  'spect,"  whispered  one.  a  regular 
down-east  Yankee. 

"  A  what  ?"  asked  his  companion. 

"  Why,  a  greelye— one  o'  them  ere  Mixikin  robbers.i' 

"  Arrah.  now  !  did  yez  see  the  rid  sash  ?"  inquired  an  Irishman. 

"  Thim's  captin's,"  suggested  the  Yankee. 

"  He's  a  capten,  or  a  kernel ;  I'll  bet  high  on  that." 

"  What  did  he  say,  Nath,  as  he  was  running  off?" 

"  I  don't  know  'zactly — somethin  that  sounded  mighty  like  '  spearin  on  »».' " 

"  He's  a  lanzeer  then,  by  jingo." 

"  He  had  better  try  on  his  speerin,"  said  another ;  "  there's  bhootin  beforo 
spearm — mij^hty  good  ground,  too,  behind  this  hyar  painted  wall. 

"  The  old  fellow  was  mighty  frindly  at  first ;  what  got  into  him,  any  how?" 

"  Raoul  says,  he  offered  to  give  the  Captain  his  house  and  all  the  fur- 
nishins." 

"  Oh,  mother  o'  Moses  !  and  thim  illigant  girls,  too." 

"  Ov  coorse." 

"  By  my  soul !  an  if  I  was  the  Captin,  I'd  take  him  at  his  word,  and  lav* 
off  fightin'  intirely." 

"  It  is  delph,"  said  a  soldier,  referring  to  the  material  of  which  the  parapet 
was  constructed. 

"No,  itaint." 

"  It's  chaney,  then." 

"  No,  nor  chaney,  either." 

'■'  Well,  what  is  it  ?" 

"  It's  only  a  stone  wall  painted,  you  green-horn !" 

"  Stone-thunder !  it's  solid  delph,  I  say." 

"  Try  it  with  your  bayonet,  Jim." 

"  Crick — crick — crick — crinell  /"  and  one  of  the  men  conmienoed  break- 
ing off  the  japanned  work  of  the  parapet  with  his  bayonet. 

"  Stop  that !"  I  shouted  to  the  fellow. 

"  The  captin  don't  want  yez  to  destroy  what'U  be  his  own  some  day,  when 
he  marries  one  of  thim  young  Doris.  Here  comes  the  ould  one,  and,  by  the 
powers  !  he's  got  a  big  paper  ;  he's  goin'  to  make  over  the  property  !" 

»  Chano  had  served  in  th«  British  Wert  Indiw 


76  THK    KIFLK    K ANGERS. 

Laughing,  I  looked  around,  and  saw  that  the  Don  was  returning  sure 
enough.     He  hurried  up,  holding  out  a  large  sheet  of  parchment. 

"  Well,  seffor,  what's  this  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  No  soy  Mexicano,  soy  Espa^nol .'"  (I  am  no  Jlesican,  I  am  a  Spaniard,) 
said  he,  with  the  expression  of  a  true  hidalgo. 

Casting  my  eye  carelessly  over  the  document,  I  perceived  that  it  was  a  safe- 
guard from  the  Spanish  Consul  at  Vera  Cruz,  certifying  that  the  bearer,  Dor 
Cosme  Resales,  was  a  native  of  Spain. 

"  Scflor  Rosales,"  said  I,  returning  the  paper,  •''  this  was  not  necessary. 
The  interesting  circumstances  under  which  we  have  met  should  have  secured 
you  good  treatment,  even  were  you  a  Mexican,  and  we  the  barbarians  we 
have  been  represented.  We  have  como  to  make  war  not  with  peaceful  citi- 
zens, but  with  a  rabble  soldiery." 

"  Es  verdad — you  are  wet,  sefior  7  you  are  hungry  ?" 

I  could  not  deny  but  that  I  was  both  the  one  and  the  other. 

"  You  need  refreshment,  gentlemen ;  will  j'ou  come  to  my  house  ?" 

"  Permit  me,  seiior,  to  introduce  to  you  Major  Blossom — Lieutenant  Cl&y 
ley— Lieutenant  Oakes  :  Don  Cosme  Rosales,  gentlemen." 

My  friends  and  the  Don  bowed  graciously.  The  Major  had  now  recovered 
Bis  complacency. 

"  Vamonos  caballeros .'"  said  the  Don,  starting  towards  the  house. 

"  But  your  soldiers,  capitan  ?"  added  he,  stopping  suddenly. 

"  They  will  remain  here,"  I  rejoined. 

"  Permit  me  to  send  them  some  dinner  V 

"  Oh  !  certainly,"  replied  I,  "  use  your  own  pleasure,  Don  Cosme  but  d« 
not  put  your  household  to  any  inconvenience." 

In  a  few  minutes  we  found  our  way  to  the  house,  which  was  neither  mora 
nor  less  than  the  cage-looking  structure  already  described. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

A   MEXICAN    DINNER. 

"  Pasan  a  dentro,  senores,'"  said  Don  Cosme,  drawing  aside  the  curtaia 
of  the  rancho,  and  beckoning  us  to  enter. 

"  Ha  !"  exclaimed  the  Major,  struck  with  the  coup  d'czil  of  the  interior. 

"  Be  seated,  gentlemen — ya  viielvo."     (I  will  return  in  an  instant.) 

So  saying,  Don  Cosme  disappeared  into  a  little  porch  in  the  back,  partially 
screened  from  observation  by  a  close  network  of  cane. 

"  Very  pretty,  by  Jove  !"  said  Clayley,  in  a  low  voice. 

"Pretty,  indeed!"  echoed  the  Major,  with  one  of  his  customary  assevera- 
tions. 

"  Stylish,  one  ought  rather  to  say,  to  do  it  justice. 

"  Stylish  !"  again  chimed  in  the  JNIajor,  repeating  his  formula. 

"Rosewood  chairs  and  tables,"  continued  Clayley;  "a  harp,  guitar,  pianc 
sofas,  ottomans,  carpets  knee-deep — whew !" 

Not  thinking  of  the  furniture,  I  looked  around  the  room  strangely  bewil 
dered.  ~ 

"  Ha !  ha !  what  perplexes  you.  Captain  ?"  asked  Clayley. 

«  Nothing." 

"  Ah  !  the  girls  you  spoke  of— the  nymphs  of  the  pond  j  but  where  the 
deuce  are  they  V 

"  Ay,  where  ?"  I  asked,  with  a  strange  sense  ofjineasiness. 

"  Girls !  what  girls  ?"  inquired  "the  Major,  who  had  not  yet  learned  th« 
exact  nature  of  our  aquatic  adventure. 

Here  the  voice  of  Don  Cosme  was  heard  calling  out : 


78  THE    RTFLE    RANGEPwS. 

"  Pepe !  Ramon  !  Francisca  !  bring  dinner.     Anda,  anda  /" 

"  Who  on  earth  is  the  old  fellow  calling  ?"  asked  the  iMajor,  with  some 
concern  in  his  manner.     '"  I  see  no  one." 

Nor  could  we ;  so  we  rose  up  together,  and  approached  that  side  of  the 
building  that  looked  rearward. 

The  house  to  all  appearance,  had  but  one  apartment — the  room  in  which 
we  then  were.  The  only  point  of  this  screened  from  observation  was  the 
little  veranda  into  which  Don  Cosme  had  entered ;  but  this  was  not  large 
enough  to  contain  the  number  of  persons  who  might  represent  the  names  he 
had  called  upon  ! 

Two  smaller  buildings  stood  under  the  olive-trees  in  the  rear  ;  but  these, 
like  the  house  were  transparent,  and  not  a  human  figure  appeared  within 
them !  We  could  see  through  the  trunks  of  the  olives  a  clear  distance  of  a 
hundred  yards.  Beyond  this,  the  mezquite  and  the  scarlet  leaves  of  the  wild 
maguey  marked  the  boundary  of  the  forest. 

It  was  equally  puzzling  to  us,  whither  the  girls  had  gone,  or  whence  "  Pepe, 
Ramon,  and  Francisca,"  where  to  come  ! 

The  tinkling  of  a  little  bell  startled  us  from  our  conjectures  sud  the  voles 
of  Don  Cosme  was  heard  inquiring: 

'•  Have  you  any  favorite  dish,  gentlemen  ?" 

Some  one  answered,  "  No." 

"  Curse  me  !"  exclaimed  the  Major,  "  I  believe  he  can  get  anything  we  may 
call  for — raise  it  out  of  the  ground  by  stamping  his  foot,  or  ringing  a  bell ! 
Didn't  I  tell  you  ?" 

This  exclamation  -wis  uttered  in  consequence  of  the  appearance  of  a  train 
of  well-dressed  servants — five  or  six  in  number — bringing  waiters  with  dishes 
and  decanters  !  They  entered  from  the  porch ;  but  how  did  they  get  into  it  1 
Certainly  not  from  the  woods  without,  else  we  should  have  seen  them  as  they 
approached  the  cage. 

The  Major  uttered  a  ttirible  invocation,  adding  in  a  hoarse  whisper.  "  This 
must  be  the  ^lexican  Aladdin  !" 

I  confess  I  was  not  less  puzzled  than  he.  Meanwhile,  the  servants  came 
and  went,  going  empty,  and  returning  loaded.  In  less  than  ten  minutes,  the 
table  fairly  cracked  under  the  weight  of  a  sumptuous  dinner.  This  is  no  figure 
of  speech.  There  were  dishes  of  massive  silver,  with  huge  flagons  of  the  same 
metal,  and  even  cups  of  gold ! 

"  Senores  vamos  a  corner''^  ("let  us  eat,  gentlemen),  said  Don  Cosme,  po- 


TllK    KIFLU    RANGERS.  Y9 

nteTj  motiop^rg  us  to  be  seated.  I  fear  that  you  will  not  be  pleased  with  my 
cuisine : — it  is  purely  Mexican,  estilo  del  pais.'''' 

To  say  that  the  dinner  was  not  a  good  one,  would  be  to  utter  a  falsehood,  anr 
co«^tradict  the  statement  of  Major  George  Blossom,  of  the  U.  S.  quartermaster's 
department,  who  afterwards  declared  that  it  was  the  best  dinner  he  had  ever 
eaten  in  his  life. 

Turtle  soup  first. 

"Perhaps  you  would  prefer  Julienne,  or  venmicelli,  gentlemen?'  inquired 
the  Don. 

"  Thank  you ;  your  turtle  is  very  fine,"  replied  T,  necessarily  the  interpreter 
ot  the  party. 

"  Try  some  of  the  agttacate — it  will  improve  the  flavor  of  your  soup." 

One  of  the  waiters  handed  around  a  dark  olive-colored  fruit  of  an  oblong 
shape  about  the  size  of  an  apple. 

"  Ask  him  how  it  is  used,  Captain  "  said  the  Major  to  me. 

•'  Oh  !  I  beg  your  pardon,  gentlemen.  I  had  forgotten  that  some  of  cur 
edibles  may  be  strange  to  you  ;  simply  pare  off  the  rind,  and  slice  it  thus." 

"We  tried  the  experiment,  but  could  not  discover  any  peculiar  improvement 
in  the  flavor  of  the  soup.  The  pulp  of  the  aguacate  seemed  singularly  iusipid 
to  our  Saxon  palates. 

Fish,  as  with  us,  and  of  the  finest  quality,  formed  the  second  course. 

A  variety  of  dishes  were  now  brought  upon  the  table ;  most  of  them  new  to 
us,  but  all  i^iquant,  pleasant  to  the  taste,  and  peculiar. 

The  ]Major  tried  them  all,  determined  ti  Iind  out  which  he  might  like  best — 
a  piece  of  knowledge  that  he  said  would  serve  him  upon  some  future  occasion. 

The  Don  seemed  to  take  a  pleasure  ai  helping  the  Major,  whom  he  honored 
by  the  title  of  "Senor  Coronel  1" 

"  Puchero,  Sciior  Coronel !" 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  grunted  the  Major,  and  tried  the  puchero,  which  is  a 
mixed  dish  of  meat  and  vegetables,  boiled.  It  is  generally  composed  of 
chicken,  ham,  beef,  cabbage,  garbanzos  (a  species  of  pea),  turnips,  boiled 
pears,  and  calabash.  Sometimes,  there  are  other  ingredients  in  the  compound. 
It  is  a  dish  entirely  distinct  from  the  famous  olla  jjodrida,  which  latter,  b}' 
the  way,  notwithstanding  the  representations  of  traveller,  is  I'arcly  to  be  met 
with  in  ]\rexico. 

"  Allow  me  to  help  you  to  a  spoonful  oi  mole  V  Another  favorite  dish— a 
stew  of  fowl,  in  a  red-colored,  peppery  sauce. 

"  With  pleasure,  Don  Cosme." 


so  Tin<:    RIFLK    KANGICUS. 

The  mole  suddenly  disappeared  down  the  ]\Iajor's  capacious  throat, 

'■  Try  some  of  this  chile  rilleno."  Another  stew  of  chile  and  meats.  It 
would  be  likely  to  skin  the  *  throat  of  any  one  not  used  to  eating  such  fiery 
viands. 

'•  By  all  means,"  answered  the  Major.  ■'  Ah  !  by  Jove  !  hot  as  fire — 
whew  !" 

"  Pica,  pica,''^  answered  Don  Cosme,  pointing  to  his  thorax,  and  smiling 
at  the  wry  faces  the  Major  was  making.  "  Wash  it  down,  Sefior,  with  a  glass 
of  this  claret — or  here,  Pepe !  Is  the  chambertin  cool  yet  ?  Bring  it  in, 
then  !     Perhaps  you  prefer  champagne,  Sefiores  ?" 

"  Thank  you,  do  not  trouble  yourself,  Don  Cosme." 

"  No  trouble,  Captain — bring  champagne.  Here,  Sefiore  Coronel  try  the 
guisado  depatoP     (Duck  cooked  in  the  same  red-hot  style.) 

"  Thank  you ;  you  are  very  kind.     Curse  the  thing !  how  it  burns !" 

•'•'Do  you  think  he  understands  English?"  inquired  Clayley  of  me,  in  a 
whisper. 

"  I  should  think  not,"  I  replied. 

"  Well,  then,  I  wish  to  say  aloud,  that  this  old  chap's  a  superb  old  gent. 
What  say  you,  Major  1    Don't  you  wish  we  had  him  on  the  lines  ?" 

"  I  wish  his  kitchen  was  a  little  nearer  the  lines,"  replied  the  other,  with  a 
wink. 

"  SeHor  Coronel,  permit  me^." 

"  What  is  it,  my  dear  Don  ?"  inquired  the  Major. 

"  Pasteles  de  Moctezuma."    Small  patties  peculiar  to  the  Mexican  cutsttiA 

"  Oh,  certainly !  I  say,  lads,  I  don't  know  what  the  plague  I'm  eating — it'a 
not  bad  to  take  though." 

"  Sefior  Coronel,  allow  me  to  hand  you  to  a  guana  steak." 

"  A  guana  steak !"  echoed  the  Major,  in  some  surprise. 

"  Si  Sefior,"  replied  Don  Cosme  holding  the  steak  on  his  fork 

"A  guana  steak — do  you  think,  lads,  he  means  the  ugly  things  we  saw  al 
Lobos?" 

"  To  be  sure — why  not  ?" 

"  Then,  by  Jove,  I'm  through.  I  can't  go  lizards.  Thank  you,  my  deai 
Don  Cosme,  I  believe  I  have  dined." 

"  Try  this ;  it  is  very  tender,  I  assure  you,"  insisted  Don  Cosme. 

"  Come,  try  it  Jilajor,  and  report,"  cried  Clayley. 

"  Good — you're  like  the  apothecary  that  poisoned  his  dog,  to  try  the  effect 
of  his  nostrums.  Well — "  with  an  oath — "  here  goes  ;  it  can't  be  very  badj 
leeing  how  our  friend  gets  it  down.    Delicious,  by  Jupiter !  tender  as  chicken 


TIIK    KIFLK    KANGERS.  81 

—good,  good ;" — and  amidst  sundry  similar  ejaculations,  the  Major  ate  hia 
first  guana  steak. 

"  Gentlemen,  here  is  an  ortolan  pie.  I  can  recommend  this — the  birds  are 
la  season." 

"  Reed-birds,  by  Jove !"  said  the  Major  recognising  his  favorite  dish. 

An  incredible  number  of  these  creatures  disappeared  in  an  incredibly  short 
time. 

The  dinner-dishes  vrere  at  length  removed,  and  dessert  followed, — cakes 
and  creams,  and  jellies  of  various  kinds,  and  blanc-mange,  and  a  profusion  of 
the  most  luxurious  fruits.  The  golden  orange,  the  ripe  pine,  the  pale  green 
lime,  the  juicy  grape,  the  custard-like  cherimolla,  the  zapote,  the  granadilla, 
the  pitahaya,  the  tuna,  the  mamay,  with  dates,  figs,  almonds,  plantains,  ban- 
anas, and  a  dozen  orher  species  of  fruits,  piled  upon  salvers  of  silver,  were 
set  before  us.  In  fact,  every  product  of  the  tropical  clime,  that  could  excite  a 
new  nerve  of  the  sense  of  taste.  We  were  fairly  astonished  at  the  profusion 
of  luxuries  that  came  from  no  one  knew  were. 

"  Come,  gentlemen,  try  a  glass  of  Cura9oa.  Seflor  Coronel,  allow  me  tho 
pleasure  ?" 

"  Sir,  your  very  good  health !" 

"  Sefior  Coronel,  would  you  prefer  a  glass  of  Majorca  ?" 

«  Thank  you." 

"  Or,  perhaps,  you  would  choose  Pedro  Ximenes.  I  have  some  very  old 
Pedro  Ximenes?" 

"  Either,  my  dear  Don  Cosme, — either." 

"  Bring  both,  Ramon  ;  and  bring  a  couple  of  bottles  of  the  JMadeira — sella 
verde." 

"  As  I'm  a  Christian,  the  old  gentleman's  a  conjuror  !"  muttered  the  Major 
now  in  the  best  humor  possible. 

"  I  wish  he  would  conjure  up  something  else  than  his  infernal  wine  bottles,' 
thought  I,  becoming  impatient  at  the  non-appearance  of  the  ladies. 

"Cafe  sefiores?  a  servant  entered. 

Coffee  was  handed  round  in  cups  of  Sevres  china. 

"  You  smoke,  gentleman  ?  Would  you  prefer  a  Havanna  ?  Here  are  some 
sent  me  from  Cuba  by  a  friend.  I  believe  they  are  good  ;  or,  if  you  would 
amuse  yourself  with  a  cigarrito,  here  are  Campeacheanos  ;  these  are  the  country 
G:ga,r&—jmros,  as  we  call  thjm.    I  would  not  recommend  them.' 


82  TUE    KIFLE    RANGERS, 

"A  Hayannafor  me,"  said  the  major,  help  ing  himself  at  the  same  tame  to  a 
One  looking  regalia. 

I  had  fallen  into  a  somewhat  painful  reverie. 

I  began  to  fear  that,  with  all  his  hospitality,  the  Mexican  would  allow  us 
to  depart  without  an  introduction  to  his  family ;  and  I  had  conceived  a  strong 
desire  to  speak  with  the  two  lovely  beings  whom  I  had  already  seen,  but 
more  particulary  with  the  brunette,  whose  actions  had  impressed  me.  So 
strange  is  the  mystery  of  love !     My  heart  had  already  formed  its  preference. 

I  was  suddenly  aroused  by  the  voice  of  Don  Cosme,  who  had  risen,  and 
was  inviting  myself  and  comrades  to  join  the  ladies  in  the  drawing-room. 

I  started  up»so  suddenly,  as  almost  to  overturn  one  of  the  waiters. 

"  Why,  captain,  what's  the  matter  ?  said  Clayley.  "  Don  Cosme  is  about 
to  introduce  us  to  the  ladies.     You're  not  going  to  back  out  ?" 

"  Certainly  not,"  stammered  I,  somewhat  ashamed  at  my  gaucherie. 

"  lie  says  they're  in  the  drawing-room,"  whispered  the  JIajor,  in  a  voice 
that  betokened  a  degree  of  suspicion ;  "  but  where  the  plague  that  is.  Heaven 
only  knows.     Stand  by,  my  boys  ! — are  your  pistols  all  jight !',  * 

"  Pshaw  Major !  for  shame  !" 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

A    SUBTERRANEAN    DRAWING-ROOM." 

The  mystery  of  the  drawing-room,  and  the  servants  and  the  dishes,  was 
soon  over.     A  descending  stairway  explained  the  enigma. 

"  Let  me  conduct  you  to  my  cave,  gentlemen,"  said  the  Spaniard,  "  I  aia 
half  a  subterranean.  In  the  hot  weather,  and  during  the  northers,  we  find  it 
more  agreeable  to  live  under  the  ground.     Follow  me,  senores  !" 

We  descended,  with  the  exception  of  Oakes,  who  returned  to  look  after 
the  men. 

At  the  foot  of  the  staircase,  we  entered  a  hall  brilliantly  lighted.  The  floor 
was  without  a  carpet,  and  exhibited  a  mosaic  of  the  finest  marble.  The  walls 
were  painted  of  a  pale  blue  color,  and  embellished  by  a  series  of  pictures,  from 
the  pencU  of  Murillo.*  These  were  framed  in  a  costly  and  elegant  manner. 
From  the  ceiling  were  suspended  chandeliers  of  a  curious  and  unique  con- 
struction, holding  in  their  outstretched  branches  wax  candles  of  an  ivory 
whiteness.  ^ 

Large  vases  of  waxen  flowers,  covered  with  crystals,  stood  around  the  hall 
upon  tables  of  polished  marble.  Other  articles  of  furniture,  candelabras, 
girandoles,  gilded  clocks,  filled   the  outline.     Broad  mirrors  reflected  the 

*  I  have  BPen  many  paintings  in  Mexico  by  tho  old  Spanish  masters.  AVhen  the  former 
wealth  of  the  Mexican  noblea  is  taken  into  consideration,  this  will  not  appear  strange. 
Even  yet  there  are  connoisours  of  art  in  this  decayed  Kepublio.  While  in  its  capital  city, 
a  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance  received  several  paintings  from  Madrid,  that  had  cost 
bim  l.OUO  dollars  each. 


84:  THE   KIFLE    RANGERS. 

different  objects ;  so  that,  instead  of  one  apartment,  this  hall  appeared  01.-7 
one  of  a  continuous  suite  of  splendid  drawing-rooms  ! 

And  yet,  upon  closer  observation,  there  seemed  to  be  no  door  leading  from 
this  hall,  which,  as  Don  Cosme  informed  his  guests,  was  the  waiting-room. 

Our  host  approached  one  of  the  large  mirrors,  and  silently  touched  a 
spring.  The  tinkling  of  a  small  bell  was  heard  within ;  and,  at  the  same 
instant,  the  mirror  glided  back,  reflecting  in  its  motion  a  series  of  brilliant 
objects,  that  for  a  moment  bewildered  our  eyes,  with  a  blazing  light. 

"  Pasan  a  dentro,  senores,"  said  Don  Cosme,  stepping  aside,  and  waving 
us  to  enter. 

We  walked  into  the  drawing-room.  The  magnificence  that  greeted  us 
seemed  a  vision — a  glorious  and  dazzling  hallucination — nrore  like  the  gilded 
brilliance  of  some  enchanted  palace,  than  the  interior  of  a  Mexican  gentleman's 
habitation. 

As  we  stood  gazing  with  irresistible  wonderment,  Don  Cosme  opened  a 
side-door,  and  called  aloud,  "  Ninas,  ninas,  ven  aea .'"  (children  come  here.) 
This  beautiful  word  of  endearment  is  pronounced  "  neenya."  It  signifies 
•hild.  but  is  used  in  speaking  to  grown-up  girls,  and  often,  in  complimentary 
phraseology,  to  grey-haired  old  ladies. 

Presently  we  heard  several  female  voices,  blending  together,  like  a  medley 
of  singing  birds. 

They  approached.  We  heard  the  rustling  of  silken  dresses — the  falling 
of  light  feet  in  the  doorway — and  three  ladies  entered — the  Senora  of  Don 
Cosme,  followed  by  her  two  beautiful  daughters,  the  heroines  of  our  aquatic 
adventure. 

These  hesitated  a  moment — scanning  our  faces — then  with  a  cry  of  "  Nevstra 
Salvador,"  both  rushed  forward  and  knelt,  or  rather  crouched  at  my  feet, 
oach  of  them  clasping  one  of  my  hands  and  covering  it  with  kisses  ! 

Their  panting  agitation — their  flashing  eyes — the  silken  touch  of  their 
delicate  fingers,  sent  the  blood  rushing  through  my  veins,  like  a  stream  of 
lava ;  but  in  their  gentle  accents,  the  simple  ingenuousness  of  their  expres- 
sions, the  childlike  innocence  of  their  faces.  1  regarded  them  only  as  two 
beautiful  children  kneeling  in  the ^bandon  of  gratitude. 

]\Ieanwhile,  Don  Cosme  had  introcluced  Clayley  and  the  Major  to  his 
Sefiora,  whoso  baptismal  name  was  Joaquina,  and,  taking  the  young  ladies 
one  in  each  hand,  he  presented  them  as  his  daughters,  Guadalupe  and  Maria 
do  la  Luz  (Mary  of  the  light). 


THE    RIFLE    KANQERS.  85 

The  names  given  in  the  text  are  the  real  surnames  of  the  ladies  who  figured 
as  described  in  these  adventures.  The  family  name  has  been  changed,  for 
obvious  reasons,  by  the  author. 

"  Mamma,"  said  Don  Cosme,  "  the  gentlemen  had  not  quite  finished  theii 
rigars." 

•'  Oh,  they  can  smoke  here,"  replied  the  Seflora. 

"  Will  the  ladies  not  object  to  that  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  No — no — no — !"  ejaculated  they  simultaneously. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  j  in  us  ? — we  have  heard  that  such  is  the  custom  oi 
your  country." 

"  It  tro*  the  custom,"  cried  Don  Cosme.  "  At  present  the  young  ladies  of 
Mexico  are  rather  ashamed  of  the  habit." 

This  is  a  fact,  notwithstanding  the  assertions  of  travellers  that  smoking  ia 
fashionable  among  the  young  ladies  of  Mexico.  Few  of  them  smoke  at  all, 
and  those  who  do,  perform  the  operation  "  behind  the  door." 

'"  We   no    smoke — mamma,   yes ;"    added   the   elder,    whose    name  was 

A^dalupe. 

•'  Ha !  you  speak  English  ?" 

"  Little  Englis  speak — no  good  Englis  V  was  the  reply. 

"Who  taught  you  English?"  I  inquired,  prompted  by  a  mysterious 
curiosity. 

'  Un  American  us  teach — Don  Emilio." 

''  Ila  !  an  American  ?" 

"  Yes,  Seiior,"  said  Don  Cosme,  "  a  gentleman  from*  Vera  Cruz,  who  formerly 
visited  our  family." 

I  thought  I  could  perceive  a  desire  upon  the  part  of  our  host,  not  to  say 
more  on  this  subject,  and  I  felt  a  strange  and  painful  curiosity.  I  can  only 
explain  this  by  asking  the  reader,  if  he  or  she  has  not  experienced  a  similar 
feeling,  while  endeavoring  to  trace  the  unknown  past  of  some  being,  in  whom 
they  have  lately  taken  an  interest — stronger  than  friendship  ? 

That  mamma  smoked,  was  clear,  for  the  old  lady  had  already  gone  through 
the  process  of  unrolling  one  of  the  small  cartouche-like  cigars.  Although 
these  little  cigars  are  ready  made,  a  Mexican  never  smokes  one  without  taking 
it  down  and  re-making  it  to  suit  himself.  This  is  done,  partly,  to  pass  the 
tiiae ;  but  more,  because  the  fresh  rolled  cigar  smokes  better.     Having  ro- 


86  THE   KIFLK   EANGER8. 

rolled  it  between  her  fingers,  she  placed  it  within  the  grip  of  a  pair  of  small 
golden  pincers. 

This  done,  she  held  one  end  to  the  coals  that  lay  upon  the  brazero,  and 
ignited  the  paper.  Then  taking  the  other  end  between  her  thin  purlish  lipg, 
she  breathed  forth  a  blue  cloud  of  aromatic  vapor. 

After  a  few  whiffs,  she  invited  the  Major  to  participate,  offering  him  a 
cigarrito  from  Istr  beaded  cigar  case. 

This  being  considered  an  especial  favor,  the  Major's  gallantry  would  not 
permit  him  to  refuse.  He  took  the  cigarrito,  tharefore  ;  but,  once  in  posses- 
sion, he  knew  not  how  to  use  it. 

Imitating  the  Senora,  he  opened  the  diminitive  cartridge,  speading  out  the 
edges  of  the  wrapper ;  hut  attempted  in  vain  to  re-roll  it. 

The  ladies,  who  had  watched  the  process,  seemed  highly  amused,  particularly 
the  younger,  who  laughed  outright. 

"  Permit  me.  Senor  Coronel,"  said  the  Dona  Joaquina,  taking  the  cigarrito 
from  the  ]\Iajor's  hand,  and  giving  it  a  turn  through  her  nimble  fingers,  which 
brought  it  all  right  again. 

"Thus — now— hold  your  fingers  thus.  Do  not  press  it — suave— suave. 
This  end  to  the  light — so — very  well !" 

The  ^lajor  lit  the  cigar,  and  putting  it  between  his  great,  thick  lips,  began 
to  puff  in  a  most  energetic  style. 

He  had  not  cast  off  half-a- dozen  whiffs,  when  the  fire  reaching  his  fingera 
burned  them  severely,  causing  him  to  remove  them  sudden. y  from  the  cigar 
The  wrapper  then  burst  open,  and  the  loose,  pulverized  tobacco,  by  a  sudden 
inhalation,  rushed  into  his  mouth,  and  down  his  throat,  causing  him  to  cough 
and  sputter  in  the  most  ludicrous  manner. 

This  was  too  much  for  the  ladies,  who,  encouraged  by  the  cachinnations  of 
Clay  ley,  laughed  outright ;  while  the  Major,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  could  be 
heard  interlarding  his  coughing  solo  with  all  kinds  of  oaths  and  expressions. 

The  scene  ended  by  one  of  the  young  ladies  offering  the  jNfajor  a  glass  of 
water,     which  he  drank  off,  effectually  clearing  the  avenues  of  his  throat. 

'•  Will  you  try  another,  Seiior  Coronel  ?"  asked  Dona  Joaquina,  with  a 
smile. 

''  No,  ma'am,  thank  yon,"  replied  the  Major,  and  then  a  sort  of  an  internal, 
subterraneous  curse  could  be  heard  in  his  throat. 

The  conversation  continued  in  English,  and  we  were  highly  amused  at  thfl 
attempts  of  our  new  acquaintances  to  express  themselves  in  that  language. 


THE   RIFLK    KANGER8.  87 

After  failing,  on  one  occasion,  to  make  herself  understood,  Guadalupe  said, 
with  some  vexation  in  her  manner — 

"  We  wish  brother  was  home  come ;  brother  speak  ver  better  Englis." 

"  Where  is  he  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  In  the  ceety — Vera  Cruz." 

"  Ha  !  and  when  did  you  expect  him  ?" 

Thees  day — to-night — he  home  come." 

"  Yes,"  added  the  SefLora,  in  Spanish.  '•  He  went  to  the  city  to  spend  a 
few  days  with  a  friend  ;  but  he  was  to  return  to-day,  and  we  are  looking  for 
him  to  arrive  in  the  evening." 

"  But  how  is  he  to  get  out  ?"  cried  the  Major,  in  his  coarse,  rough  manner. 

"  How  1 — why,  Sefior  ?"  asked  the  ladies,  in  a  breath,  turning  deadly  pale. 

"  Why,  he  can't  pass  the  pickets,  ma'am  ;"  answered  the  Major, 

"  Explain,  Captain,  explain !"  said  the  ladies,  appealing  to  me  with  looks  of 
anxiety. 

I  saw  that  concealment  would  be  idle.     The  Major  had  fired  the  train. 

"It  gives  me  pain,  ladies,"  said  I,  speaking  in  Spanish,  "to  inform  you 
that  you  must  be  disappointed.     I  fear  the  return  of  your  brother  to-day  ig 


"  But  why.  Captain  7 — why "?" 

"  Our  lines  are  completly  around  Vera  Cruz ;  and  all  intercourse,  to  and 
from  the  city,  is  at  an  end." 

Had  a  shell  fallen  into  Don  Cosme's  drawing-room,  it  could  not  have  caused 
a  greater  change  in  the  feelings  of  its  inmates.  Knowing  nothing  of  military 
life,  they  had  no  idea  that  our  presence  there  had  drawn  an  impassable 
barrier  between  them  and  a  much-loved  member  of  their  family.  In  a  secia  I 
eion  almost  hermitical,  they  knew  that  a  war  existed  between  their  country 
and  the  United  States  ;  but  that  was  far  away  upon  the  Rio  Grande.  They 
had  heard,  moreover,  that  our  fleet  lay  off  Vera  Cruz  ;  and  the  pealing  of  the 
distant  thunder  of  San  Juan,  had  from  time  to  time  reached  their  ears.  But 
they  had  not  dreamed,  on  seeing  us,  that  the  city  was  invested  by  land.  The 
trutti  was  now  clear ;  and  the  anguish  of  the  mother  and  daughters  became 
atflicting,  when  we  informed  them  what  we  were  unable  to  conceal — that  it 
was  the  intention  of  the  American  commander  to  bombard  the  citv. 

The  scene  was  to  us  deeply  distressing. 

Dona  Joaquina  wrung  hor  hands,  and  called  upon  the  Virgin,  with  all  the 
earnestness  of  entreaty.     The  sisters  clung  alternately  to  their  mother,  and 


88  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

Don  Cosme,  weeping  and  crying  aloud,  "  Pobre  Narcisso  !  nuestro  hennan- 
ito — le  asesinaron  /"  (Poor  Narcisso— our  little  brother — they  will  murder 
him  ! — )  In  the  midst  of  this  distressing  scene,  the  door  of  the  drawing-room 
was  thrown  suddenly  open,  and  a  servant,  in  an  agitated  voice,  rushed  ia 
ahoutin?,  "  El  Norte— el  Norte  /" 


CHAPTER   XV. 

THE   NORTHER. 

W  E  hurried  after  Don  Cosme  toward  the  ante-sala,  both  myself  and  my 
companions  as  ignorant  of  this  new  object  of  dread. 

When  we  emerged  from  the  stairway,  the  scene  that  hailed  us  was  one  of 
terrific  sublimity.  Earth  and  heaven  had  undergone  a  sudden  and  convulsive 
change.  The  face  of  nature,  not  a  moment  since  gay  with  summer  smiles,  was 
now  hideously  distorted.  The  sky  had  changed  suddenly  from  its  blue  and 
sunny  brightness,  to  an  aspect  dark  and  portentous. 

Along  the  north-west  a  vast  volume  of  black  vapor  rolled  up  over  the  Sierra 
Madre,  and  rested  upon  the  peaks  of  the  mountains.  From  this,  ragged 
masses,  parting  in  fantastic  forms  and  groupings,  floated  off  against  the  con- 
cavity of  the  sky,  as  though  the  demons  of  the  storm  were  breaking  up  from 
an  angry  council.  Each  of  these,  as  it  careered  across  the  heavens,  seemed 
bent  upon  some  spiteful  purpose  ! 

An  isolated  fragment  hung  lowering  above  the  snowy  cone  of  Ofizava,  like 
a  huge  vampire  suspended  over  his  sleeping  victim ! 

From  the  great "  parent  cloud"  that  rested  upon  the  Sierra  Madre,  lightning- 
bolts  shot  out,  and  forked  hither  and  thither,  and  sank  into  the  detached 
masses — the  messengers  of  the  storm-king  bearing  his  fiery  mandates  across 
the  sky ! 


90  THE    RIFLE    RANGEKS. 

Away  along  the  horizon  of  the  east,  moved  yellow  pillars  of  sand,  whirled 
upward  bjr  the  wind,  like  vast  coluranal  towers  leading  to  heaven. 

The  storm  had  not  yet  reached  the  rancho.  The  leaves  lay  motionless, 
under  a  dark  and  ominous  calm  ;  but  the  wild  screams  of  many  birds — tho 
shrieks  of  swans^the  discordant  notes  of  the  frightened  pea-owl — the  chat- 
tering of  parrots,  as  they  sought  the  shelter  of  the  thick  olives  iu  terrified 
flight — all  betokened  the  speedy  advent  of  some  fearful  convulsion. 

The  rain,  in  large  drops,  fell  upon  the  broad  leaves,  with  a  soft,  plashing 
sound ;  and  now  and  then  a  quick,  short  puff  came  snorting  along,  and,  seiz- 
ing the  feathery  frondage  of  the  palma  redovda — a  beautiful  species  of  tho 
palm-tree — shook  it  with  a  spiteful  and  ruffian  energy. 

Tlie  long,  green  stiipes,  after  oscillating  a  moment,  would  settle  down  again 
in  graceful  and  motionless  curves. 

A  low  sound,  like  the  "sough"  of  the  sea,  or  the  distant  falling  of  water, 
came  fro-m  the  north  ;  while,  at  intervals,  the  hoarse  bark  of  the  coyote,  or 
prairie  wolf,  and  the  yelling  of  terrified  monkeys,  could  be  heard  afar  off  in 
the  woods. 

"  Tapa  la  casa — tapa  la  casa .'"  ("  Cover  the  uouse  !")  cried  Don  Cosrae, 
as  soon  as  he  had  fairly  got  his  head  above  ground. 

"  Anda — anda  con  los  macates  .'"     ("  Quick  with  the  cords  1") 

With  lightning  quickness  a  roll  of  palmetto  mats  came  down  on  all  sides 
of  the  house,  completely  covering  the  bamboo  walls,  and  forming  a  screen 
impervious  to  both  wind  and  rain.  This  was  speedily  fastened  at  all  corners, 
and  strong  stays  were  carried  out,  and  warped  around  the  trunks  of  trees. 
In  five  minutes  the  change  was  complete.  The  cage-looking  structure  had 
disappeared,  and  a  house  with  walls  of  yellow  petate  stood  in  its  place.  This 
petaie  is  a  thin,  light  mat,  woven  from  a  species  of  palm.  They  are  foimd 
in  every  house  ;  and,  in  the  rancheros  of  the  poorer  classes,  the  petate  spread 
on  the  floor  is  considered  a  bed.  I  have  observed  that  in  the  valley  of  Mexico 
the  palm  leaf  petate  is  rarely  met  with.  The  article  is  there  constructed  of 
tule,  or  bulrush,  which  grows  in  great  plenty  along  the  borders  of  the  lakes 
Chalco  and  Tezcoco. 

"  Now,  Sefiores,  all  is  secured,"  said  Don  Cosme.  "  Let  us  return  to  the 
drawing-room." 

"  I  should  like  to  see  the  first  burst  of  this  tornado,"  I  remarked,  not  wish- 
ing to  intrude  upon  the  scene  of  sorrow  we  had  left. 

"  So  be  it,  Captain.     Stand  here  under  the  shelter,  then  !" 


THE    KIFLK    RANOKKS.  91 

"  Hot  as  thunder !"  growled  the  Major,  wiping  the  perspiration  from  his 
broad,  red  cheeks. 

'•  In  five  minutes,  Seflor  Corouel,  yon  will  be  chilled.  At  this  point  the 
heated  atmosphere  is  now  compressed.     Patience !  it  will  soon  be  scattereu." 

"  How  long  will  the  storm  continue  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Por  dios !  Sciior,  it  is  impossible  to  tell  how  long  the  '  norte''  may  rage 
— sometimes  for  daj^s  ;  perhaps  only  for  a  few  hours.  This  appears  to  be  the 
'  huracana?     If  so,  it  will  be  short,  but  terrible  while  it  lasts.     Carrambo  !" 

A  puflT  of  cold,  charp  wind  came  whistling  past  like  an  arrow.  Another 
followed,  and  another,  like  the  three  seas  that  roll  over  the  stormy  ocean. 
Then,  with  a  loud,  rushing  sound,  the  broad,  full  blast  went  sweeping — strong, 
dark,  and  dustj^ — bearing  upon  its  mane  the  screaming  and  terrified  birds, 
mingled  with  torn  and  flouted  leaves ! 

The  olives  creaked  and  tossed  about.  The  tall  palms  bowed  and  yielded, 
flinging  out  their  long  pinions  like  streamers.  The  broad  leaves  of  the  plan- 
tains flapped  and  whistled,  and.  bending  gracefully,  allowed  the  fierce  blast 
to  pass  over. 

Then  a  great  cloud  came  rolling  down ;  a  thick  vapor  seemed  to  fill  the 
space ;  and  the  air  felt  hot,  and  dark,  and  heavy.  A  choking  sulphuroaa 
smell  rendered  the  breathing  diflBcult ;  and,  for  a  moment,  day  seemed  changed 
to  night. 

Suddenly  the  whole  atmosphere  blazed  forth  in  a  sheet  of  flame,  and  the 
irees  glistened  as  though  they  were  on  fire !  An  opaque  darkness  succeeded 
Another  flash,  and,  along  with  it  the  crashing  thunder — the  artillery  of 
Heaven — deafening  all  earthly  sounds  ! 

Peal  followed  peal ;  the  vast  cloud  was  breached  and  burst  by  a  hundred 
fiery  bolts  '■,  and,  like  an  avalanche,  the  heavy  tropical  rain  was  precipitated 
to  the  eartli. 

It  fell  in  torrents ;  but  the  strength  of  the  tempest  had  been  spent  on  the 
first  onslaught.  The  dark  cloud  passed  on  to  the  south,  and  a  piercing  cold 
wind  swept  after  it. 

"  Vatnos  a  bajar,  Senores .'"  (Let  us  descend,  gentlemen),  said  Don 
Cosme,  with  a  shiver ;  and  he  conducted  us  back  to  the  stairway. 

Clayley  and  the  IMajor  looked  towards  me  with  an  expression  that  said — 
"  Shall  we  go  in  ?"  There  were  several  reasons  why  our  return  to  the  draw- 
ing-room was  unpleasant  to  myself  and  companions.  A  scene  of  domestic 
aflSiction  is  ever  painful  to  a  stranger.    How  much  more  painful  'to  us  ;  know- 


92  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

ing,  as  we  did,  that  our  countrymen — that  we  had  been  the  partial  agents  of 
this  calamity.     We  hesitated  a  moment  on  the  threshold. 

"  Gentlemen,  we  must  return  for  a  moment,  we  have  been  the  bearers  of 
eril  tidings — let  us  oflTer  such  consolation  as  we  may  think  of.     Come  !" 

We  descended  after  our  host. 

I 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

A    LITTLE    FAIR    WEATHER   AGAIN. 

On  re-entering  the  sala,  the  picture  of  woe  was  again  presented,  but  in  an 
altered  aspect.  A  change,  sudden  as  the  atmospheric  one  we  had  just  wit- 
nessed, had  taken  place :  and  the  scene  of  wild  weeping  was  now  succeeded 
by  one  of  resignation  and  prayer. 

On  one  side  was  Dona  Joaquina,  holding  in  her  hands  a  golden  rosary, 
with  its  crucifix.  The  girls  were  kneeling  in  front  of  a  picture— a  portrait 
of  Dolores,  with  the  fatal  dagger;  and  the  "Lady  of  Grief"  looked  not 
more  sorrowful  from  the  canvass,  than  the  beautiful  devotees  that  bent 
before  her. 

"With  their  heads  slightly  leaning— their  arms  crossed  upon  their  swelling 
bosoms — and  their  long  loose  hair  trailing  upon  the  carpet — they  formed  a 
picture  at  once  painful  and  prepossessing. 

The  saints  most  popular  in  Mexico  are  Dolores',  Remedies,  and  Guadalupe. 
The  latter  is  the  Saint  patroness  of  the  nation,  and  paintings,  representing 
her  as  very  beautiful,  may  be  met  with  in  almost  every  Mexican  house. 

Not  wishing  to  intrude  upon  this  sacred  sorrow,  we  made  a  motion  to 
retire. 

"  No,  Sefiores,"  said  Don  Cosme,  interrupting  us,  "  be  seated ;  let  us  talk 
calmly — let  us  know  the  worst !" 

"We  then  proceeded  to  inform  Don  Cosme  of  the  landing  of  the  AmeHran 
troops,  and  the  manner  in  which  our  lines  were  drawn  around  the  city  j  and 
pointed  out  to  him  the  impossibility  of  any  one  passing  either  in  or  out. 

"  There  is  still  a  hope,  Don  Cosme,"  said  I,  "  and  that,  perhaps,  rests  with 
yourself." 


91  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

The  thought  had  struck  me  that  a  Spaniard,  of  Don  Cosme's  evident  rank 
and  wealth,  might  be  enabled  to  procure  access  to  the  city  by  means  of  his 
Consul;  and  through  the  Spanish  ship  of  war,  that  I  recollected  was  lying  off 
Ran  Juan. 

'•  Oh !  name  it.  Captain,  name  it !"  cried  he ;  while,  at  the  word  "  hope,'' 
Uic  ladies  had  rushed  forwards,  and  stood  clinging  around  me. 

•■  There  is  a  Spanish  ship  of  war  lying  under  the  walls  of  Vera  Cruz. 

"  We  know  it,  we  know  it,"  replied  Don  Cosme,  eagerly. 

'•  Ah  !  you  know  it,  then  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes,"  said  Guadalupe,  "  Don  Santiago  is  on  board  of  her." 

"  Don  Santiago  ?"  inquired  I  ;  "  who  is  he  ?" 

'•  lie  is  a  relation  of  ours,  captain,"  said  Don  Cosme ;  "  an  oflBcer  in  the 
Spanish  navy," 

This  information  pained  me,  although  I  scarcely  knew  why. 

"  You  have  a  friend,  then,  aboard  the  Spanish  ship,"  said  I  to  the  elder 
of  the  sisters ;  "  tis  well ;  it  will  be  in  his  power  to  restore  to  you  your 
brother." 

A  ring  of  brightening  faces  was  around  me,  while  I  uttered  these  cheering 
words  ;  and  Don  Cosme,  grasping  me  by  the  hand,  entreated  me  to  proceed. 

"This  Spanish  ship,"  I  continued,  "is  still  allowed  to  keep  up  a  communi- 
cation with  the  town.  You  should  proceed  aboard  at  once  then,  and  by  the 
assistance  of  this  friend,  you  may  bring  away  your  son  before  the  bombard- 
ment commences.     I  see  no  difQculty ;  our  batteries  are  not  yet  formed." 

"I  will  go  this  instant,"  said  Don  Cosme,  leaping  to  his  feet,  M-hile  l>ona 
Joaquina  and  her  daughters  ran  out  to  make  preparations  for  his  journey 

Hope — sweet  hope — was  again  in  the  ascendant. 

"  But  how,  Seflor  ?"  asked  Don  Cosme,  as  soon  as  they  were  gone'  "  how 
can  I  pass  your  lines  ?    Shall  I  be  permitted  to  reach  the  ships  ?" 

"It  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  accompany  you,  Don  Cosme."  T  replied. 
"  and  I  regret,  exceedingly,  that  my  duty  will  not  permit  me  to  return  with 
you  at  once." 

"  Oh,  Seflor  !"  exclaimed  the  Spaniard,  with  a  painful  expi-ession. 

"My  business  here,"  continued  I,  "is  to  procure  pack-mules  for  the  Ameri 
can  army. 

"  Mules  ?" 

"  Yes.  AVe  were  crossing  for  that  purpose  to  a  plain  on  the  other  side  of 
the  woods,  where  we  had  observed  some  animals  of  that  description." 


THE    KIFLK    KANQEKS.  95 

"  'Tis  true,  Capitan — there  are  a  hundred  or  more — they  are  mine — take 
them  all." 

"  But  it  is  our  intention  to  pay  for  them,  Don  Cosme.  The  Major,  here, 
has  the  power  to  contract  with  you." 

"  As  you  please,  gentlemen  ;  but  you  will  ther.  return  this  way,  and  pro- 
ceed to  your  camp," 

"  As  soon  as  possible,"  I  replied  ;  "  how  far  distant  is  this  plain  ?" 

'•  Not  more  than  a  league.  I  would  go  with  you,  but — "  Here  Don  Cosme 
hesitated,  and  approachmg,  said,  in  a  lower  tone,  "  the  truth  is,  Seflor  Capiian, 
I  should  be  glad  if  you  could  take  them  without  my  consent.  I  have  mixed 
but  little  in  the  politics  of  this  country ;  but  Santa  Anna  is  my  enemy — he 
would  ask  no  better  motive  for  despoiling  me." 

"  I  understand  you,"  said  I.  "  Then,  Don  Cosme,  we  will  take  your  mules 
by  force,  and  carry  yourself  a  prisoner  to  the  American  camp — a  Yankee 
return  for  your  hospitality." 

"  It  is  good,"  replied  the  Spaniard,  with  a  smile. 

"Seflor  Capitan,"  continued  he,  "you  are  without  a  sword  !  will  you  favor 
me  by  accepting  this  ?" 

Don  Cosme  held  out  to  me  a  rapier  of  Toledo  steel,*  with  a  golden  scabbard 
richly  chased,  and  bearing  on  its  hilt  the  eagle  and  nopal  of  Mexico.  "  It  is  a 
family  relic,  and  once  belonged  to  the  brave  Guadalupe  Victoria."! 

"  Ila !  indeed."  I  exclaimed,  taking  the  sword,  "  I  shall  value  it  much. 
Thanks,  Seiior,  thanks.     Now.  Major,  we  are  ready  to  proceed." 

"  A  glass  of  maraschino,  gentlemen  ?"  said  Don  Cosme,  as  a  servant 
appeared  with  a  flask  and  glasses. 

"  Thank  you — yes,"  grunted  the  IMajor  ;  "  and  while  we  are  diinking  it, 
Seflor  Don,  let  me  give  you  a  hint.  "  You  appear  to  have  plenty  of  pewter." 
Jlere  the  Major  significantly  touched  a  gold  sugar-dish,  which  the  servant 
was  carrying  upon  a  tray  of  chased  silver,  "  take  my  word  for  it,  you  can't 
bury  it  too  soon." 

*  This  weapon  was  manufactured  in  London,  and  presented  to  Guadalupe  Victon*. 
It  cost  i;300.  For  reasons  best  known  to  his  descendants,  the  precious  relic  is  now  in 
stranger  hands. 

t  The  First  President  of  Mexico,  and  generally  known  a,=!  the  Washington  of  that 
country,  a  name  to  which  he  is  most  fully  entitled.  He  was  truly  a  hero  of  many  vir- 
tues ;  and  his  adventurous  life,  spent  la  fighting  for  his  country's  freedom,  waa  a  romanc* 
of  Itself. 


96  THK    EIFLE    KANGERS. 

"  It  is  true,  Don  Cosme,"  said  I,  translating  to  him  the  Major's  advice,"  we 
are  not  French,  but  there  are  robbers  who  hang  on  the  skirts  of  every  army.'» 

Don  Cosme  promised  to  follow  the  hint  with  alacrity  ;  and  we  prepared  to 
take  our  departure  from  the  rancho. 

"  I  will  give  you  a  guide,  Seiior  Oapitan ;  you  will  find  my  people  with  the 
mvlada.  Please  compel  them  to  lasso  the  cattle  for  you.  You  will  obtain 
what  you  want  in  the  corral.    Adios,  seiiores." 

"Farewell,  Don  Cosme." 

"  Adieu,  ladies,  adieu." 

"  Adios,  Capitan !  adios  !  adios  !" 

I  held  out  my  hand  to  the  younger  of  the  girls,  who  instantly  caught  it, 
and  pressed  it  to  her  lips.  It  was  the  action  of  a  child.  Guadalupe  followed 
the  example  of  her  sister,  but  evidently  with  a  degree  of  reserve.  What, 
then,  should  have  caused  this  difierence  in  their  manner. 

In  the  next  moment,  we  were  ascending  the  stairway. 

"  Lujcky  dog  !"  growled  the  Major,  "  Take  a  ducking  myself  for  that.'' 

"  Both  beautiful,  by  Jove,"  said  Clayley ;  "  but  of  all  the  women  I  evef 
WW,  gire  me  '  Alary  of  the  Light.'  " 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE    8C0DT   CONTINUED,   WITH    A    VARIETY    OP   REFLECTIONS. 

Love  is  a  rose  growing  upon  a  thorny  bramble.  There  is  jealousy  in  the 
very  first  blush  of  a  passion.  No  sooner  has  a  fair  face  made  its  impress  ov. 
the  heart,  than  hopes  and  fears  spring  up  in  alternation.  Every  action,  ever> 
word,  every  look,  is  noted  and  examined  with  a  jealous  scrutiny;  and  th' 
heart  of  the  lover,  changing  like  the  cameleon,  takes  its  hues  from  the  latest 
sentiment  that  may  have  dropped  from  the  loved  one's  hps.  And  then  the 
various  looks,  words,  and  actions — the  favorable  with  the  unfavorable — ar' 
recalled,  and,  by  a  mental  process,  classified  and  marshalled  agamst  eacl^ 
Dther,  and  compared  and  balanced  with  as  much  exactitude  as  the  pros  ami 
cons  of  a  miser's  bank-book,  and  in  this  process  we  have  a  new  alternation 
of  hopes  and  fears. 

Ah.  love !  we  could  write  a  long  history  of  thy  rise  and  progress  ;  but  it  is 
ioubtful  whether  any  of  our  readers  would  be  a  jot  the  wiser  for  it.  5Iosi 
of  them,  ere  this,  have  read  that  history  in  their  own  hearts. 

J_fclt  and  knew  that  I  was  in  love.  It  had  come  like  a  thought,  as  it  comes 
VI ponalTlnen'wE'ose' souls  are'lBuned  to  vibrate  under  the  mystical  impres- 
sions of  the  beautiful.  And  well  I  knew  she  was  beautiful.  I  saw  its  unfail- 
ing index  in  those  oval  developments — the  index,  too,  of  the  intellectual ;  for 
experience  had  taught  me  that  intellect  takes  a  shape  ;  and  that  those  pecu- 
liarities of  form  that  we  admire,  without  knowing  why,  are  but  the  material 
illustrations  of  the  diviner  principles  of  mind. 

The  eye,  too,  with  its  almond  outline,  and  wild,  haifjndian,  half-Arab 
expre.ssion — the  dark  tracery  over  the  lip,  so  rarely  seen  in  the  lineements  of 


98  THK    KIFLE    RANGERS. 

her  sex — eveu  these  were  attractions.  There  was  something  picturesque, 
snmetliing  strange,  something  almost  fierce,  in  her  aspect ;  and  yet  it  was 
this  indefinable  something,  this  very  fierceness,  that  had  challenged  my  love ! 
For  I  must  confess  mine  is  not  one  of  those  curious  natures  that  I  have  read 
of,  whose  love  is  based  only  upon  the  goodness  of  the  object.  That  is  not 
ove. 
J  My  heart  recognised  in  her  tJie  heroine  of  extremes  !  One  of  those  natures 
f  gifted  with  all  the  tenderness  that  belongs  to  the  angel  idea— woman ;  yet 
soanng  above  her  sex  in  the  paralyzing  moments  of  peril  and  despair.  Her 
feelings,  in  relation  to  her  sister's  cruelty  to  the  goldfish,  proved  the  existence 
of  the  former  principle ;  her  actions,  in  attempting  my  own  rescue,  when  bat- 
tling with  the  monster,  were  evidence  of  the  latter.  One  of  those  natures  that 
may  err  from  the  desparate  intensity  of  one  passion,  that  knows  no  limit  to 
its  self-sacrificfc  short  of  destruction  and  death !  One  of  those  beings  ttat 
may  iiall=tmt-xr7i?i^  once. 

"  What  would  I  give — what  would  I  do — to  be  the  hero  of  such  a  heart  V* 

These  were  my  reflections,  as  I  quitted  the  house. 

I  had  noted  every  word,  every  look,  every  action,  that  could  lend  me  a 
lope;  and  my  memory  conjured  up,  and  my  judgment  canvassed,  each  little 
circumstance  in  its  turn. 

'•'  How  strange  her  conduct  at  bidding  adieu  !  How  unlike  her  sister — less 
friendly  and  sincere !"  and  yet  from  this  very  circumstance  I  drew  my  hap- 
piest omens. 

Strange,  is  it  not?  Mj  experience  had  taught  me  that  love  and  hate,  for 
the  same  object,  can  exist  in  the  same  heart,  and  at  the  same  time.  If  this 
be  a  paradox,  I  am  a  child  of  error. 

I  believed  it  then  ;  and  her  apparent  coldness,  which  would  have  rendered 
many  another  hopeless,  produced  with  me  an  opposite  elTect. 

Then  came  the  cloud — the  thought  of  Don  Santiago,  and  a  painful  feeling 
shot  through  my  heart. 

Don  Santiago,  a  naval  officer,  young,  handsome.  Bah !  hers  is  not  a  heart 
to  be  won  by  a  face, — Such  were  my  reflections  and  half-uttored  expressions, 
as  I  slowly  led  my  soldiers  through  the  tangled'  path. 

Don  Santiago's  age  and  his  appearance  wore  the  creations  of  a  jealous  fanc}'. 
I  had  bidden  adieu  to  my  new  acquaintances,  knowing  nothing  of  Don  San- 
tiago beyond  the  fact  that  he  was  an  oificer  on  board  the  Spanish  ship  of  war. 
and  a  relation  of  Don  Cosme. 

"  Oh,  yes !  Don  Santiago  is  on  board  1"     Ha !  there  was  an  evident  interest, 


THIC    KIFLE    RAN0KK8.  '  99 

Her  look,  as  she  said  it ;  her  manner — furies !  But  he  is  a  relation ;  a  cousin— 
a  cmisin.    I  hate  cousins. 

I  must  have  pronounced  the  last  words  aloud,  as  Mr.  Lincoln,  who  walked 
in  my  rear,  stepped  hastily  up,  and  asked — 

"  What  did  yer  say  Capt'n  ?" 

"  Oh  !  nothing,  Serjeant,"  stammered  I,  in  some  confusion. 

Notwithstanding  my  assurance,  I  overheard  Mr.  Lincoln  whisper  to  hn 
nearest  comrade, 

"  What  ther  old  Harry  he's  got  into  the  Cap'  ?" 

He  referred  to  the  fact,  that  I  had  unconsciously  hooked  myself  half-a-dozen 
times  on  the  thorny  claws  of  the  wild  maguey,  and  my  overalls  began  to 
exhibit  a  most  tattered  condition. 

Our  route  lay  through  a  dense  chapparal,  now  crossing  a  sandy  spur,  cov- 
ered with  mezquit  and  acacia  ;  then  sinking  into  the  bed  of  some  silent  creek 
haded  with  old  cork  trees,  whose  gnarled  and  venerable  trunks  were  laced 
together  by  a  thousand  parasites.  Two  miles  from  the  rancho  we  reached  the 
■anks  of  a  considerable  stream,  which  we  conjectured  was  a  branch  of  the 
'amapa  river. 

On  both  sides,  a  fringe  of  dark  forest  trees  flung  out  long  branches,  extend- 
ing half  way  across  the  stream.  The  water  flowed  darkly  underneath.  Huge 
lihes  stood  out  from  the  banks ;  their  broad,  wax-like  leaves  trailing  upon  the 
glassy  ripple. 

Here  and  there  were  pools,  fringed  with  drooping  willows,  and  belts  of 
recn  tuU.  Other  aquatic  plfTnts  rose  from  the  water  to  the  height  of  tw«ntv 
fcct ;  theii  tall,  spear-like  stems,  ending  in  a  dark  brown  cylmder,  like  the 
pompon  of  a  grenadier's  cap. 

As  we  approached  the  banks,  the  pelican  scared  from  his  lonely  haunt,  rose 
upon  heavy  wing,  and,  with  a  shrill  scream,  flapped  away  through  the  dark 
aisles  of  the  forest.  The  cayman  plunged  sullenly  into  the  sedgy  water ;  and 
the  sapajou,  suspended  by  the  tail  from  some  overhanging  bough,  oscillated 
to  and  fro,  and  filled  the  air  with  his  hideous  half-human  cries. 

ILalting  for  a  moment  to  re-fill  the  canteens,  we  crossed  over,  and  ascended 
the  opposite  bank.  A  hundred  paces  farther  on,  the  guide,  who  had  gon« 
ahead,  cried  out  from  an  eminence — "  Mira  la  cahallada  /" 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

ONE    WAY    OF   TAMING   A    BULL. 

Poshing  through  the  jungle,  we  ascended  the  eminence.  A  brilliant  pic- 
ture opened  before  us.  The  storm  had  suddenly  lulled,  and  the  tropical  sun 
shone  down  upon  the  flowery  surface  of  the  earth,  bathing  its  verdure  in  a 
flood  of  yellow  light. 

It  was  several  hours  before  sunset,  but  the  bright  orb  had  commenced 
descending  towards  the  snowy  cone  of  Orizava  ;  and  his  rays  had  assumed  thaf 
golden  red,  which  characterizes  the  ante-twilight  of  the  tropics.  The  short 
lived  storm  had  swept  the  heavens,  and  the  blue  roof  of  the  world  was  with- 
out a  cloud.  The  dark  masses  had  rolled  away  over  the  south-eastern  hori- 
zon, and  were  now  spending  their  fury  upon  the  dye-wood  forests  of  Honduras 
and  Tabasco. 

At  our  feet  lay  the  prairie,  spread  before  us  like  a  green  carpet ;  bounded 
upon  the  farther  side  by  a  dark  wall  of  forest-trees.  Several  clumps  of  timber 
lay  like  islands  on  the  plain,  adding  to  the  picturesque  character  of  the  land- 
scape. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  prairie  stood  a  small  rancho,  surrounded  by  a  high 
picket  fence.  This  we  at  once  recognised  as  the  corral  mentioned  by  Don 
Cosme. 

At  some  distance  from  this  enclosure,  thousands  of  cattle  were  now  browsing 
upon  the  grassy  level,  their  spotted  flanks  and  loHg  upright  horns  showing 
their  descent  from  the  famous  race  of  Spanish  bulls.  Some  of  them,  straggling 
from  the  herd,  rambled  through  the  "'  inottes,"  or  lay  stretched  out  under  the^. 
shade  of  some  isolated  palm-tree.     Ox-bells  were  tinkling  their  cheerful  bui 


THE    RTFLE    KANGKKo.  101 

monotonous  mucic.  Hundreds  of  horses  and  mules  mingled  with  the  herd 
and  we  could  distinguish  a  couple  of  leather-clad  herdsmen,  gallopping  from 
point  to  point  on  their  swift  "  mustangs." 

These,  as  we  appeared  upon  the  ridge,  dnshcd  out  after  a  wild  bull  that  had 
just  escaped  from  the  corral. 

All  five — the  vaqueros,  the  mustangs,  and  the  bull — swept  over  the  prairie 
lik«  wind,  the  bull  bellowing  with  rage  and  terror ;  while  the  vaqueros  were 
yelling  m  his  rear,  and  whirling  their  long  lassos.  Their  straight  black  hair 
floating  in  the  wind — their  swarthy,  Arab-like  faces— their  high  Spanish  hats 
— their  red  leather  "  calzoneros,"  buttoned  up  the  sides — their  huge,  jingling 
spurs,  and  the  ornamental  trappings  of  their  deep  saddles — all  these,  combined 
with  the  perfect  manege  of  their  dashing  steeds,  and  the  wild  excitement  of 
the  chase  in  which  they  were  engaged,  rendered  them  objects  of  picturesque 
interest ;  and  we  halted  a  moment  to  witness  the  result. 

The  bull  came  rushing  past,  within  fifty  paces  of  where  we  stood,  snorting 
with  rage,  and  tossing  his  horns  high  in  the  air — his  pursuers  close  upon  him. 
At  this  moment,  one  of  the  vaqueros  launched  his  lariat,  which,  floating  grace- 
fiilly  out,  settled  down  over  one  horn.  Seeing  this,  the  vaquero  did  not  turn 
Lis  horse,  but  sate  facing  the  bull,  and  permitted  the  rope  to  run  out.  It  was 
soon  carried  taut;  and,  scarcely  checking  the  animal,  it  slipped  along  the 
smooth  horn,  and  spun  out  into  the  air. 

The  second  vaquero  now  flung  his  lasso  with  more  success.  The  heavy 
loop,  skilfully  projected,  shot  out  like  an  arrow,  and  embraced  both  horns  in 
its  curving  noose.  With  the  quickness  of  thought,  the  vaquero  wheeled  his 
horse,  buried  his  spurs  deep  into  his  flanks,  and,  pressing  his  thighs  to  the 
saddle,  gallopped  off  in  an  opposite  direction.  The  bull  dashed  on  as  before. 
In  a  moment,  the  lariat  was  stretched.  The  sudden  jerk  caused  the  thong 
to  vibrate  like  a  bowstring,  and  the  bull  lay  motionless  on  the  grass  !  The 
shock  almost  dragged  the  mustang  upon  his  flanks. 

The  bull  lay  for  some  time  where  he  had  fallen ;  then,  making  an  effort,  he 
sprang  up,  and  looked  around  him  with  a  bewildered  air.  lie  was  not  yet 
conquered.  His  eye,  flashing  with  rage,  rolled  around  until  it  fell  upon  the 
rope  leading  from  his  horns  to  the  saddle,  and,  suddenly  lowering  his  hond 
with  a  furious  roar  he  rushed  upon  the  vaquero. 

The  latter,  who  had  been  expecting  this  attack,  drove  the  spurs  into  his 

mustang,  and  started  in  full  gollop  across  the  prairie.     On  followed  the  bull 

sometimes  shortening  the  distance  between  him  and  his  enemy ;  while  at 

intervals  the  lariat  tightening,  would  almost  jerk  him  upon  his  head. 

After  running  for  a  hundred  yards  or  so,  the  vaquero  suddenly  wheeled 


102,.    ,-•   ,.^..,.       .  Till-    KIFLR    RANGRR8. 

and  gallopped  out  at  right  angles  to  his  former  course.  Before  the  bull  could 
turn  himself,  the  lariat  again  tightened  with  a  jerk,  and  flung  him  upon  liis 
side.  This  time  he  lay  but  an  instant,  and  again  springing  to  his  feet,  he 
dashed  ofl"  in  fresh  pursuit. 

The  second  vaquero  now  came  up,  and,  as  the  bull  rushed  past,  launched 
his  lariat  after,  and  snared  him  around  one  of  the  legs,*  drawing  the  noose 
upon  his  ankle. 

This  time  the  bull  was  flung  completely  over,  and  with  such  a  violent 
shock,  that  he  lay  as  if  dead.  One  of  the  vaqueros  rode  cautiously  up.  and, 
bending  over  iu  the  saddle,  unfastened  both  of  the  lariats,  and  let  the  animal 
free. 

The  bull  rose  to  his  feet,  and,  looking  around  in  the  most  cowed  and  pitifui 
manner,  walked  quietly  off,  driven  unresistingly  toward  the  corral.* 

We  commenced  descending  into  the  plain,  and  the  vaqueros,  catching  a 
glimpse  of  our  uniforms,  simultaneously  reined  up  their  mustangs  with  a 
sudden  jerk.  "We  could  see  from  their  gestures  that  they  were  frightened  at 
the  approach  of  our  party.  This  was  not  strange,  as  the  Major,  mounted  upon 
his  great,  gaunt  charger,  loomed  up  against  the  blue  sky  like  a  Colossus.  The 
Mexicans,  doubtless,  had  never  seen  anything  in  the  way  of  horseflesh  bigger 
than  the  mustangsf  they  were  riding ;  and  this  apparition,  with  the  long  line 
of  uniformed  soldiers  descending  the  hill,  was  calculated  to  alarm  them 
severely. 

"Them  fellers  \.^  gwine  to  put,  Cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  touching  his  cap 
respectfully. 

*  I  have  seen  the  Ta'j  lero  seize  a  bull's  tail  while  both  were  in  full  gal]  >p,  and,  twitoh- 
tag  it  under  one  of  hia  le;.'-,  toss  him  over  on  his  back     This  is  a  common  exploit. 

•  This  description  is  as  correct  as  my  notes  and  memory  can  make  it.  I  have  witnessed 
the  lazoing  of  wild  cattle  City  times,  and  it  is  true  that  the  bull  must  be  caught  both  by 
the  horns  and  heels,  and  aluiogt  drawn  asunder  between  the  two  mustangs  before  he  sur 
renders. 

t  The  Mexican  horses — known  among  us  by  the  name  of  mustangs — are,  in  fact,  no- 
thing more  than  large-sized  ponies,  They  are  the  descendants  of  the  Spanish  breed,  ele- 
gant and  active,  but  deficient  in  weight. 

Mustang  is  the  name  applied  to  the  wild  horses  on  the  great  prairies  of  Texa.s  ;  but  u 
these  are  directly  sprung  from  Mexican  progenitors,  w«  give  the  name  ta  all  horses  of 
that  country. 


We  loiiclied  a  clump  of  ooooa-treed— one  of  them  had  fallen,  and  its  smooth  trunk 
offered  a  seat,  protected  from  the  sun  by  the  shadowy  leaves  of  its  fellon-s.  On  this  we 
sate  down.  There  was  no  resistance— no  reasoning  process— no  calculation  of  advan- 
tages and  chances— such  as  is  too  often  miii-rled  witli  the  noble  passion  of  love.  We 
felt  nothing  of  this — nothing  but  that  undeflnable  impulse  which  had  entered  our  hearts, 
and  against  whose  mystical  power  neither  of  us  dreamed  of  struggling.  Delay  and  duty 
were  alike  forgotten. — Page  103. 


TEE    KIFI.E    HANGKRS.  108 

•'  You're  right,  Sergeant,'  1  replied,  "  and  without  them  we  might  as  wel) 
think  ©f  catching  the  wind  as  one  of  these  mules." 

"  If  j'er'U  just  let  me  draw  a  bead  on  the  near  mustang,  I  kin  kripple  him 
'Ithout  hurtin'  the  thing  thet's  in  the  saddle." 

"  It  would  be  a  pity ;  no  Sergeant,"  answered  I.  "  I  might  stop  them  by 
sending  forward  the  guide,"  continued  I,  addressing  myself  rather  than  Lin- 
coln ;  "  but  no,  it  will  not  do ;  there  must  be  the  appearance  of  force.  I 
have  promised.  Major,  would  you  have  the  goodness  to  ride  forwaad.  and 
prevent  those  fellows  from  gallopping  off'?" 

"Lord,  Captain,"  said  the  Major,  with  a  terrified  look,  "you  don't 
think  I  could  overtake  such  Arabs  as  them  1  Hercules  is  slow — slow  as  a 
crab." 

Now  this  was  a  lie,  and  I  knew  it,  for  "Hercules,"  the  Major's  great  raw- 
boned  steed,  was  as  fleet  as  the  wind. 

"  Then,  Llajor,  perhaps  you  will  allow  Mr.  Clayley  to  make  trial  of  him  ?" 
I  suggested.  "  He  is  light  weight.  I  assure  you  that,  without  the  assistance 
of  these  Mexicans,  we  shall  not  be  able  to  catch  a  single  mule." 

The  Major,  seeing  that  all  eyes  were  fixed  upon  him,  suddenly  straightened 
himself  up  in  his  stirrups,  and,  swelling  with  courage  and  importance,  declared, 
if  that  was  the  case,  he  would  go  himself.  Then,  calling  upon  "  Doc"  to  fol- 
low him,  he  struck  the  spurs  into  Hercules,  and  rode  forward  at  a  gallop.  It 
proved  that  this  was  just  the  very  course  to  start  the  vaqueros,  as  the  Major 
had  inspired  them  with  more  terror  than  all  the  rest  of  our  party.  They 
riiowed  evident  symptoms  of  taking  to  their  heels  ;  and  I  shouted  to  them  at 
the  top  of  my  voice, 
"  Alto  !  somos  amig-os"— (Halt,  we  are  friends.) 

The  words  were  scarcely  out  of  my  mouth,  when  the  Jlexicans  drove  the 
rowels  into  their  mustangs,  and  gallopped  off  as  if  for  their  lives,  in  the  direc- 
riun  of  the  corral. 

The  JMajor  followed  at  a  slashing  pace,  Doc  bringing  up  the  rear ;  while  the 
liasket  which  the  latter  carried  over  his  arm,  began  to  eject  its  contents,  scat- 
i.  liiijj,-  the  commissariat  of  the  Major  over  the  prairie.  Fortunately,  the  hos- 
|)iialitv  of  Don  Cosme  had  already  provided  a  substitute  for  this  loss. 

After  a  run  of  about  half  a  mile,  Hercules  began  to  gain  rapidly  upon  the 
iiuistangs  ;  whereas  Doc  was  losing  distance  in  an  inverse  ratio.  The  ]\Iexi- 
eans  had  got  within  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  of  the  rancho— the  Major  not 
over  a  hundred  in  their  rear— when  I  observed  the  latter  suddenly  pull  up 


104  THE    RIFLK    RANGERS. 

find,  jerkiug  the  long  body  of  Uercules  around,  commence  riding  slowly 
back,  all  the  while  looking  over  his  shoulder  towards  the  enclosure. 

The  vaqueros  did  not  halt  at  the  corral,  as  we  expected,  but  kept  across  the 
prairie,  and  disappeared  among  the  trees  on  the  opposite  side. 

" "What  the  deuce  got  into  Blossom?"  inquired  Clayley;  "he  was  clearly 
gaining  on  them.    The  old  bloat  must  have  burst  a  blood-vessei.*' 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

A    BRUSH    WITH    THE    GDERILLEROS.* 

"  "Why,  what  was  the  matter,  Major  V  inquired  I,  as  the  Major  rode  up, 
blowing  hke  a  porpoise. 

"  Matter,"  replied  he,  with  one  of  his  direst  imprecations ;  "  matter,  in- 
deed !  you  wouldn't  have  me  ride  plump  into  their  works,  would  you  ?" 

"  Works  ?"  echoed  I,  in  some  surprise ;  "  what  do  you  mean  by  that. 
Major  ?» 

"  I  mean  works — that's  all.  There's  a  stockade  ten  feet  high,  as  full  as  it 
can  stick  of  them." 

"Full  of  what?" 

"  Full  of  the  enemy — full  of  rancheros.  I  saw  their  ugly  copper  faces — a 
dozen  of  them,  at  least — looking  at  me  over  the  pickets ;  and,  sure  as  heaven, 
if  I  had  gone  ten  paces  further,  they  would  have  riddled  me  like  a  target." 

"  But,  Major,  they  were  only  peaceable  rancheros — cow-herds — nothing 
more." 

•'  Cow-herds  ?  I  tell  you,  Captain,  that  those  two  mahogany-colored  devils 
that  galloped  off  had  a  sword  apiece,  strapped  to  their  saddles.  I  saw  them 
when  I  got  near — they  were  decoys  to  bring  us  up  to  that  stockade.  I'll  bet 
mj'  hfe  i^on  it." 

"  Well,  Major,"  rejoined  I,  "  they're  far  enough  from  the  stockade  now  , 
and  the  best  we  can  do  in  their  absence,  will  be  to  examine  it,  and  see  what 
chances  it  may  offer  to  corral  these  mules  ;  for,  unless  they  can  be  driven  into 
It,  we  shall  have  to  return  to  camp  empty-handed." 

Saying  this,  I  moved  forward  with  the  men,  the  Major  keeping  in  the  rear. 

"We  soon  reached  tlie  formidable  stockade,  which  proved  to  be  nothing 
more  than  a  regular  corral,  such  as  are  found  on  the  great  Haciendas  de 
ganados  (cattle  farms)  of  Spanish  America.  In  one  corner  was  a  house,  con- 
structed of  upright  poles,  with  a  thatch  of  palm-leaves.  This  contained  the 
lassos,  alparejos,  saddles,  &c.,  of  the  vaqueros ;  and,  in  the  door  of  this  house, 
stood  a  decrepid  old  zambo,  the  only  human  thing  about  the  place.  The 
zambo's  woolly  head  over  the  pickets,  had  reflected  itself  a  dozen  times  on  the 
Major's  terrified  imagination. 

*  Guerilla  ifl  a  band  of  guarilloros — guerillcro  uu  iiuliviJual  of  the  band 


106  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

After  examining  the  corral,  I  found  it  excellent  for  our  purpose,  provided 
we  could  only  succeed  in  driving  the  mules  into  it ;  and,  throwing  open  the 
bars,  we  proceeded  to  make  the  attempt.  The  mules  were  browsing  quitely 
at  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  corral. 

Marching  past  the  drove,  I  deployed  the  company  in  the  form  of  a  semi- 
circle, forming  a  complete  cordon  outside  the  animals ;  then  closing  in  upon 
them  slowly,  the  soldiers  commenced  driving  them  toward  the  pen. 

We  were  somewhat  awkward  at  this  new  duty  ;  but  by  means  of  a  shower 
of  small  rocks,  pieces  of  bois  de  vache,  and  an  occasional  "  heigh,  heigh,"  the 
mules  were  soon  in  motion,  and  in  the  required  direction. 

The  Major,  with  Doc  and  Little  Jack,  being  the  mounted  men  of  the  party, 
did  gi'cat  service ;  especially  Jack,  who  was  highly  delighted  with  this  kind  of 
thing,  and  kept  Twidget  in  a  constant  gallop,  from  right  to  left. 

As  the  mulada  neared  the  gates  of  the  enclosure,  the  two  extremes  of  the 
semi-circumference  gradually  approached  each  other,  closing  in  toward  the 
corral. 

The  mules  were  already  within  fifty  paces  of  the  entrance,  the  soldiers 
coming  up  about  two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear,  when  a  noise  like  the  tramp- 
ing of  many  hoofs  arrested  our  attention.  The  quick,  sharp  note  of  a  cavalry 
bugle  rang  out  across  the  plain,  followed  by  a  wild  yell,  as  though  a  band  of 
Comanches  were  swooping  down  upon  the  foe. 

In  an  instant,  every  eye  was  turned,  and  we  beheld,  with  consternation,  a 
cloud  of  horsemen  springing  out  from  the  woods,  and  dashing  along  in  the 
heafllong  velocity  of  a  charge. 

It  required  but  a  single  glance  to  satisfy  me  that  they  were  guerilleros. 
Their  picturesque  attire — their  peculiar  arms — and  the  particolored  bauneretj! 
upon  their  lances — were  not  to  be  mistaken. 

We  stood  for  a  moment  as  if  thunderstruck  ;  a  sharp  cry  rose  along  the 
deployed  line. 

I  signalled  to  the  bugler,  who  gave  the  command:  "Rally  upon  the  centre T" 

As  if  by  one  impulse,  the  whole  line  closed  in  with  a  run  upou  the  gates  oi' 
the  enclosure. 

The  mules,  impelled  by  the  sudden  rush,  dashed  forward  pell  mcl],  bloekiof 
np  the  entraiice 

On  came  the  guerilleros,  with  streaming  pennons,  and  lances  couched,  shout 
ing  their  wild  cries : 

"  Andela — andela  !  mueran  loa  Yankees  /" 

The  foremost  of  the  soldiers  were  already  upon  the  heels  of  the  mulada, 
pricking  them  with  bayonets. 


TllIC     I.IKI.l':     liANOKRS.  10? 

The  animals  began  w  .^liKk  and  plunge  in  the  most  furious  manner,  causing 
9,  new  danger  in  front. 

"  Face  about— fire  !» 

An  irregular,  but  well-directed  volley  emptied  half-a-dozen  saddles,  and, 
for  a  moment,  staggered  the  charging  line  ;  but,  before  my  men  could  re-load, 
the  guerilleros  had  leaped  clear  over  their  fallen  comrades,  and  were  swooping 
down  with  cries  of  vengeance. 

A  dozen  of  their  bravest  men  were  already  within  shot  range,  firing  their 
escopettes  and  pistols  as  they  came  down. 

Our  position  had  now  grown  fearfully  critical.  The  mules  still  blocked  up 
the  entrance,  preventing  the  soldiers  from  taking  shelter  behind  the  stockade ; 
and,  before  we  could  re-load,  the  rearmost  would  be  at  the  mercy  of  the 
enemy's  lances. 

Seizing  the  Major's  servant  by  the  arm,  I  dragged  him  from  his  horse  ;  and, 
leaping  into  the  saddle,  flung  myself  upon  the  rear.  Ilalf-a-dozen  of  my 
bravest  men.  among  whom  were  Lincoln,  Chane,  and  the  Frenchman  Raoul, 
rallied  around  the  horse,  determined  to  receive  the  cavalry  charge  on  the  shor\ 
bayonets  of  their  rifles.     Their  pieces  were  all  empty. 

At  this  moment,  my  eye  rested  upon  one  of  the  soldiers,  a  brave,  but  'slow 
footed  German,  who  was  still  twenty  paces  in  the  rear  of  his  comrades, 
nmking  every  eifort  to  come  up.  Two  of  the  guerilleros  were  rushing  upon 
him  with  couched  lances.  I  gallopped  out  to  his  rescue,  but  before  I  could 
reach  him  the  lance  of  the  foremost  Mexican  crashed  through  the  soldier's 
skull,  shivering  it  like  a  shell.  The  barb  and  bloody  pennon  came  out  on  the 
opposite  side.  The  man  was  lifted  from  the  ground,  and  carried  several  paces 
upon  the  shaft  of  the  lance ! 

The  guerillero  dropped  his  entangled  weapon,  but  before  he  could  draw  any 
other,  the  sword  of  Victoria  was  through  his  heart. 

His  comrade  turned  upon  me  with  a  cry  of  vengeance.  I  had  not  yet  dis- 
engaged my  weapon  to  ward  off  the  thrust.  The  lance's  point  was  withirt 
three  feet  of  my  breast,  when  a  sharp  crack  was  heard  from  behind — the 
lancer  threw  out  his  arms  with  a  spasmodic  jerk — his  long  spear  was  whirled 
into  the  air — and  he  fell  back  in  his  saddle,  dead  ! 

•'  Well,  done,  Jack !  Fire  and  scissors !  who  showed  yer  that  trick  ? 
whooray-whoop  1"  and  I  heard  the  voice  of  Lincoln,  in  a  sort  of  Indian  yell, 
rising  high  above  the  din. 

At  this  momenta  guerillero,  mounted  upon  a  powerful  black  mustang,  came 
gallopping  down.     This  man,  unlike  most  of  his  comrades,  was  armed  with 


I  OS  THE   KIFLE   KANGERS. 

ihe  sabre,  which  he  evidently  wielded  with  great  dexterity.  He  came  dashing 
on,  his  white  teeth  set  in  a  fierce  smile. 

"  Ha  !  Monsieur  le  Capitaine,"  shouted  he,  as  he  came  near,  "  still  alive  ?  I 
thought  I  had  finished  you  on  Lobos  ;  not  too  late  yet." 

I  recognised  the  deserter,  Dubrosc ! 

"  Villain  !"  I  ejaculated,  too  full  of  rage  to  utter  another  word. 

We  met  at  full  speed,  but  with  my  unmanageable  horse,  I  could  only  ward 
off  his  blow  as  he  swept  past  me.  We  wheeled  again,  and  gallopped  toward 
iach  other,  both  of  us  impelled  by  hatred,  but  my  horse  again  shied,  finght- 
ened  by  the  gleaming  sabre  of  my  antagonist.  Before  I  could  rein  him  around. 
he  had  brought  me  close  to  the  pickets  of  the  corral,  and  on  turning  to  meet 
the  deserter,  I  found  that  we  were  separated  by  a  band  of  dark  objects. 

It  was  a  detachment  of  mules,  that  had  backed  from  the  gates  of  the  corral, 
and  were  escaping  to  the  open  plain.  We  reined  up,  eyeing  each  other  with 
impatient  vengeance ;  but  the  bullets  of  my  men  began  to  whistle  from  the 
pickets ;  and  Dubrosc,  with  a  threatening  gesture,  wheeled  his  horse,  and 
gallopped  off  to  his  comrades.  They  had  retired  beyond  range,  and  were 
halted  in  groups  upon  the  prairie,  chafing  with  disappointment,  and  raa^e. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A    HERCDLBAN    FEAT. 

The  whole  skirmish  did  not  occupy  two  minutes.  It  was  like  most  charges 
of  Mexican  cavalry — a  dash — a  wild  yelling — half-a-dozen  empty  saddles — 
and  a  hasty  retreat. 

The  guerilleros  had  swerved  off  as  soon  as  they  perceived  that  we  had 
gained  a  safe  position,  and  the  bullets  of  our  re-loaded  pieces  began  to  ring 
around  their  ears.  Dubrosc,  alone,  in  his  impetuosity,  galloped  close  up  to 
the  enclosure,  and  it  was  only  on  perceiving  his  danger,  that  he  followed  his 
party.  They  were  now  out  upon  the  prairie,  beyond  the  range  of  small  arms, 
grouped  around  their  wounded  comrades,  or  gallopping  to  and  fro,  with  yells 
of  disappointed  vengeance. 

I  entered  the  corral,  where  most  of  my  men  had  sheltered  themselves 
behind  the  stockades.  Little  Jack  sat  upon  Twidget,  re-loading  his  rifle,  and 
trying  to  appear  insensible  to  the  flattering  encomiums  that  hailed  him  from 
all  sides.  A  compliment  from  Lincoln,  however,  was  too  much  for  Jack,  and 
a  proud  smile  passed  over  the  face  of  the  boy. 

"  Thank  you.  Jack,"  said  I,  as  I  passed  him,  "  I  see  you  can  use  a  rifle  to 
gome  purpose." 

Jack  held  down  his  head,  without  saying  a  word,  and  appeared  to  be  very 
busy  about  the  lock  of  his  piece. 

In  the  skirmish,  Lincola  had  received  the  scratch  of  a  lance — at  which  ho 
was  chafing,  in  his  own  peculiar  way,  and  vowing  revenge  upon  the  giver.  It 
might  be  said  that  he  had  taken  this,  as  he  had  driven  his  short  bayone* 
through  his  antagonist's  arm,  and  sent  him  off  with  this  member  hanging 
by  Ws  side. 


110  TIIK    RIFLK    RANGERS. 

The  hunter  was  not  content ;  and,  as  he  retired  sullenly  into  the  enclosurr 
he  turned  round,  and,  shaking  his  fist  at  the  Mexicans,  muttered  savagely— 

"  Yer  darned  skunk !   I'll  know  yer  agin      See  if  I  don't  git  yer  yit." 

Q  ravenitz,  a  Prussian  soldier,  had  alsc  been  too  near  a  lance  ;  and  severa] 
ethers  had  received  slight  wounds.  The  German  was  the  only  one  killed. 
lie  was  still  lying  out  on  the  plain,  where  he  had  fallen,  the  long  shaft  of  the 
lance  standing  up  out  of  his  skull !  Not  ten  feet  distant  lay  the  corpse  of  his 
slayer,  glistening  in  its  gaudy  and  picturesque  attire  ! 

The  oth(»  guerillero,  as  he  fell,  had  noosed  one  of  his  legs  in  the  lariat  that 
hung  from  the  horn  of  his  saddle,  and  was  now  dragged  over  the  prairie  after 
his  wild  and  snorting  mustang.  As  the  animal  swerved,  at  every  jerk  his 
limber  body  bounded  to  the  distance  of  twenty  feet,  where  it  would  lie 
motionless  until  slung  into  the  air  by  a  fresh  pluck  on  the  lasso ! 

As  we  were  watching  this  horrid  spectacle,  several  of  the  guerilleros  gallop- 
ped  after,  while  half-a-dozen  others  were  observed  spurring  their  steeda 
towards  the  rear  of  the  corral.  On  looking  in  this  direction,  we  perceived  a 
huge  red  horse,  with  an  empty  saddle,  scouring  at  full  speed  across  the  prairie. 
A  single  glance  showed  us  that  this  horse  was  Hercules. 

"  Good  Heavens  !  the  Major  ?" 

"  Safe  somewhere,"  replied  Clayley  ;  "  but  where  the  deuce  can  he  be  ?  He 
is  not  '  hors  de  combat '  on  the  plain,  or  one  could  see  him  ten  miles  off.  Ha, 
ha,  ha  !  look  yonder  !" 

Clayley,  yelling  with  laughter,  pointed  to  the  corner  of  the  ranche. 

Though  after  a  scene  so  tragic,  I  could  hardly  refrain  from  joining  Clayley 
in  his  boisterous  mirth.  Hanging  by  the  belt  of  his  sabre  upon  a  high  picket 
was  the  Major,  kicking  and  struggling  with  all  his  might !  The  waist  strap, 
tightly  drawn  by  the  bulky  weight  of  the  wearer,  separated  his  body  into  two 
vast  rotundities,  while  his  face  was  distorted  and  purple  with  the  agony  of 
suspense  and  suspension.  He  was  loudly  bellowing  for  help,  and  several 
soldiers  were  running  towards  him  ;  but,  from  the  manner  in  which  he  jerked 
his  body  up,  and  screwed  his  neck,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  look  over  the 
stockade,  it  was  evident  that  the  principal  cause  of  his  uneasiness  lay  on  the 
"  other  side  of  the  fence." 

The  truth  was,  the  ]\Iajor,  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  enemy,  had  gal- 
lopped  towards  the  rear  of  the  corral,  and,  finding  no  entrance,  had  thrown 
himself  from  tlie  back  of  Hercules  upon  the  stockade,  intending  to  climb  over; 
but,  catching  a  glance  of  some  guerilleros.  he  suddenly  let  go  his  bridle,  and 
attempted  to  precipitate  iiimself  into  the  corral. 


TUK    RIFI^K    liANORKS.  Ill 

His  waist-belt  caught  upon  a  sharp  picket,  and  held  him  suspended  mid- 
way, still  under  the  impression  that  the  Mexicans  were  close  upon  his  rear. 
He  was  soon  unhooked,  and  waddled  across  the  corral,  uttering  a  thick  and 
continuous  volley  of  his  choicest  oaths. 

Our  eyes  were  now  directed  towards  Hercules.  The  horsemen  had  closed 
upon  him  within  fifty  yards,  and  were  winding  their  long  lassos  in  the  ai:. 
The  Major,  to  all  appearance,  had  lost  his  horse. 

After  gallopping  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  Hercules  suddenly  halted,  and 
threw  up  the  trailing  bridle,  with  a  loud  neigh.  His  pursuers,  coming  up, 
flung  out  their  lariats.  Two  of  them  settling  over  his  head,  noosed  him 
around  the  neck.  The  huge  brute,  as  if  aware  of  the  necessity  of  a  desperate 
effort  to  free  himself,  dropped  his  nose  to  the  ground,  and  stretched  himself  m 
full  gallop. 

The  lariats,  one  by  one  tightening  over  his  bony  chest,  snapped  like  threads, 
almost  jerking  the  mustangs  from  their  feet.  The  long  fragments  sailed  out 
like  streamers  as  he  careered  across  the  prairie,  far  ahead  of  his  yelling  pur- 
suers. He  now  made  directly  for  the  corral.  Several  of  the  soldiers  ran 
toward  the  stockade,  in  order  to  seize  the  bridle  when  he  should  come  up 
but  Hercules,  spying  his  old  comrade — the  horse  of  the  "  doctor " — within 
the  enclosure,  neighed  loudly ;  and,  throwing  all  his  nerve  into  the  effort 
sprang  high  over  the  picket  fence ! 

A  cheer  rose  from  the  men,  who  had  watched  with  interest  his  efforts  to 
escape ;  and  who  now  welcomed  him  as  if  he  had  been  one  of  themselves. 

"  Two  months'  pay  for  your  horse,  Major  !"  cried  Clayley. 

"  Och,  the  bewtifuU  baste  !  He's  worth  the  full  of  his  skin  in  goold.  By 
my  sowl !  the  Capten  ought  to  have  'im,"  ejaculated  Chane ;  and  various 
other  encomiums  were  uttered  in  honor  of  Hercules. 

Meanwhile,  his  pursuers,  not  daring  to  approach  the  stockade,  drew  off 
towards  their  comrades,  with  gestures  of  disappointment  and  chagrin. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

RCHNING  THE   GAUNTLET. 

I  BEGAN  to  reflect  upon  the  real  danger  of  our  situation :  con^alled  upon  a 
naked  prairie,  ten  miles  from  camp,  with  no  prospect  of  escape.  I  knew  that 
we  could  defend  ourselves  against  twice  the  number  of  our  cowardly  adver- 
Karies,  Those  would  never  dare  to  come  within  range  of  our  rifles ;  but  how 
to  get  out  ?  how  to  cross  the  open  plain  1  Fifty  infantry  against  four  times 
that  number  of  mounted  men — lancers  at  that — and  not  a  bush  to  shelter  the 
foot  soldier  from  the  long  spear  and  the  iron  hoof. 

The  nearest  motte  was  half  a  mile  oiF,  and  that  another  half  mile  from  the 
edge  of  the  woods.  Even  could  the  motte  be  reached  by  a  desperate  run,  it 
would  be  impossible  to  gain  the  woods,  as  the  enemy  would  certainly  cordon 
our  new  position,  and  thus  completely  cut  us  off.  At  present,  they  had  halted 
in  a  body  about  four  hundred  yards  from  the  corral,  and,  feeling  secure  of 
Laving  us  in  a  trap,  most  of  them  had  dismounted,  and  were  running  out 
their  mustangs  upon  the  lar-iat.  It  was  plainly  their  determination  to  take 
us  by  siege. 

To  add  to  our  desperate  circumstances,  we  discovered  that  there  was  not  a 
drop  of  water  in  the  corral.  The  tliirst  that  follows  a  fight  had  nearly 
exhausted  the  scanty  supply  of  our  canteens,  and  the  heat  was  excessive. 

As  I  was  running  over,  in  my  mind,  the  perils  of  our  position,  my  eye 
rented  upon  Lincoln,  who  stood  with  his  piece  at  a  carry ;  his  left  hand  crossed 
over  his  breast,  in  the  attitude  of  a  soldier  waiting  to  receive  orders 


THK    RTFLE    RA.NOERS.  113 

"  Well,  Sergeant,  what  is  it  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  Will  yer  allow  me,  Oap'n,  ter  take  a  couple  o'files,  and  fetch  in  the  Dutch- 
man ;  the  men  ud  like  ter  put  a  sod  upon  him,  afore  them  thievin'  robbers 
kin  git  at  him." 

"Certainly.  But  will  you  be  safe?  He's  at  some  distance  from  the 
stockade." 

"  I  don't  think  them  fellers  'U  kum  down — they've  had  enuf.  We'll  run 
out  quick,  and  the  boys  kin  kiver  us  with  their  fire." 

"  Very  well,  then ;  set  about  it." 

Lincoln  returned  to  the  company,  and  selected  four  of  the  most  active  of  his 
men,  with  whom  he  proceeded  towards  the  entrance.  I  ordered  the  soldiers 
to  throw  themselves  on  that  side  of  the  enclosure,  and  cover  the  party,  in  case 
of  an  attack;  but  none  was  made.  A  movement  was  visible  among  the 
Mexicans,  as  they  perceived  Lincoln  and  his  party  rush  out  towards  the  body ; 
but  seeing  they  would  be  too  late  to  prevent  them  from  carrying  it  off,  they 
wisely  kept  beyond  the  reach  of  the  American  rifles. 

The  body  of  the  German  was  brought  into  the  enclosure,  and  buried  with 
due  ceremony ;  although  his  comrades  believed  that,  before  many  hours,  it 
would  be  torn  from  its  "  warrior-grave ;"  dragged  forth  to  feed  the  coyote  and 
vulture,  and  his  bones  left  to  whiten  upon  the  naked  prairie.  Which  of  us 
knew  that  it  might  not,  in  a  few  hours,  be  his  own  fate  ? 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  I,  to  my  brother  officers,  as  we  came  together,  "  can  you 
suggest  any  mode  of  escape  ?" 

"  Our  only  chance  is  to  fight  them  where  we  stand.  There  are  four  to  one," 
replied  Clayley. 

"  We  have  no  other  chance,  Captain,"  said  Oakes,  with  a  shake  of  the  head. 

"  But,  it  is  not  their  intention  to  fight  us.  Their  design  is  to  starve  us 
See  !  they  are  picketing  their  horses,  knowing  they  can  easily  overtake  us,  if 
we  attempt  to  leave  the  enclosure." 

"  Cannot  we  move  in  a  hollow  square  ?" 

"  But  what  is  a  hollow  square  of  fifty  men '}  and  agamst  four  times  that 
number  of  cavalry,  with  lances  and  lassos  ?  No,  no,  they  would  shiver  it  with 
a  single  charge.  Our  only  hope  is,  that  we  may  be  able  to  hold  out,  until  our 
absence  from  camp  may  bring  a  detachment  to  our  relief." 

"  And  why  not  send  for  it  1"  inquired  the  Major,  who  had  scarcely  been 
asked  for  his  advice,  but  whose  wits  had  been  sharpened  by  the  extremity  of 
his  danger.    "  Why  not  send  for  a  couple  of  regiments  1" 

'•How  are  we  to  send,  Major?"  asked  Clayley,  looking  on  the  Major'* 


114  THE    lilFLE    RANGERS. 

proposition  as  ludicrous  under  the  circumstances.  "  Have  you  a  pigeon  in 
your  pocket  ?" 

"  Why,  how  ?  there's  Hercules  runs  like  a  hare ;  stick  one  of  your  fellows 
in  the  saddle,  and  I'll  warrant  him  to  camp  in  an  hour." 

"  You  are  right,  Major."  said  I,  catching  at  the  Major's  proposal  ;  thank 
you  for  the  thought.  If  he  could  only  pass  that  point  in  the  woods  I  hate 
it.  but  it  is  our  only  chance." 

The  last  sentence  I  muttered  to  myself. 

"  Why  do  you  hate  it,  Captain  ?"  inquired  the  Major,  who  had  overheard 
me. 

"  You  might  not  understand  my  reasons,  Major." 

I  was  thinking  upon  the  disgrace  of  being  trapped  as  I  was,  and  on  my  first 
Rcout  too. 

"  Who  will  volunteer  to  ride  an  express  to  camp  7"  I  inquired,  addressing 
the  men. 

Twenty  of  them  leaped  out  simultaneously. 

"  Which  of  you  remembers  the  course,  that  you  could  follow  it  in  a  gallop  V 
I  asked. 

The  Frenchman  Raoul  stood  forth,  touching  his  cap. 

"  I  know  a  shorter  one,  Captain,  by  Mata  Cordera." 

"  Ha  !   Raoul,  you  know  the  country  ?  you  are  the  man." 

I  now  remembered  that  the  Frenchman  joined  us  at  Sacrificios,  just  after 
the  landing  of  the  expedition. 

"  Are  you  a  good  horseman  ?" 

'•  I  have  lived  in  Mexico  five  years." 

"  True ;  do  you  think  you  can  pass  them  ;  they  are  nearly  in  your  track." 

"  As  we  entered  the  prairie.  Captain ;  but  my  route  will  lie  past  this  motte 
to  the  left." 

"  This  will  give  you  several  points  ;  do  not  stop  a  moment  after  you  have 
mounted,  or  they  will  take  the  hint,  and  intercept  you." 

"  With  the  red  horse  there  will  be  no  danger,  Captain." 

"  Leave  your  gun ;  take  these  pistols.  Ha !  you  have  a  pair  in  the  holsters. 
See  if  they  are  loaded.  These  spurs — so — cut  loose  that  heavy  piece  from  the 
saddle ;  the  cloak,  too ;  you  must  have  nothing  to  encumber  you.  When 
you  come  near  the  camp,  leave  your  horse  in  the  chapparal.  Give  this  to 
Colonel  C ." 

I  wrote  the  following  words  on  a  scrap  of  paper  : 


THE    klf-LR    RANGERS.  115 

'^  Dear  Colonel, — two  hundred  will  be  enough.     Could  they  be  stolen  out 

after  night  ?    If  so,  all  will  be  well — if  it  gets  abroad 

*'  Yours, 

"II.  H." 

As  I  handed  the  paper  to  Raoul,  I  whispered  in  his  ear : 

"To  Colonel  C 's  own  hand.      Private.y,  Raoul — privately  do  you 

hear  7" 

Colonel  C was  my  friend,  and  I  knew  that  he  would  send  a  prwate 

party  to  my  rescue. 
I     '•  I  understand,  Captain."  was  the  answer  of  Raoul. 

"  Ready,  then ;  now  mount  and  be  off." 
I  The  Frenchman  sprang  nimbly  to  the  saddle  ;  and,  driving  his  spurs  into 
i  the  flanks  of  his  horse,  shot  out  from  the  penn  like  a  bolt  of  lightning.  For 
I  the  first  three  hundred  yards  or  so,  he  gal  lopped  directly  towards  the  guoril- 
loros.  These  st'^od  leaning  upon  their  saddles,  or  lay  stretched  along  the 
I  green  sward. 

Seeing  a  single  horseman  riding  towards  them,  none  of  them  moved — be- 
I  lit  ving  him  to  be  some  messenger  sent  to  treat  for  our  surrender. 
j     Suddenly,  the  Frenchman  swerved  from  his  direct  course,  and  went  sweep- 
ling  around  them  in  the  curve  of  an  ellipse ! 

]  They  now  perceived  the  ruse,  and,  with  a  yell,  leaped  into  their  saddles. 
jSome  fired  their  escopettes ;  others,  unwinding  their  lassos,  started  in  pursuit. 
;  Raoul  had,  by  this  time,  set  Hercules'  head  for  the  clump  of  timber,  which 
|he  had  taken  as  his  guide ;  and  now  kept  on  in  a  track  almost  rectilinear, 
j  Could  he  reach  the  motte  or  clump  in  safety  he  knew  that  there  were  strag- 
j;ling  trees  beyond,  and  these  would  secure  him,  in  some  measure,  from  the 
lariats  of  his  pursuers.  "We  stood  watching  his  progress  with  breathless 
j>ilence.  Our  lives  depended  on  his  escape.  A  crowd  of  his  pursuers  was  be- 
|;ween  him  and  us ;  but  we  could  see  the  green  jacket  of  the  soldier,  and  the 
^eat  red  flanks  of  Hercules,  as  he  bounded  on  towards  the  edge  of  the  weods. 
Chen  we  saw  the  lariats  launched  out,  and,  spinning  around  Raoul's  head. 
.nd  straggling  shots  were  fired ;  and  we  fancied,  at  one  time,  that  our  comrade 
i  prang  up  in  the  saddle,  as  if  he  had  been  hit !  Then  he  appeared  again,  all 
;afe,  rounding  the  little  islet  of  timber,  and  the  next  moment  he  was  gone. 
phere  followed  a  while  of  suspense — of  terrible  suspense — for  the  motte  hid 
\^m  view  both  pursuers  and  pursued.  Every  eye  was  straining  towards  the 
joint  where  the  horseman  had  disappeared,  when  Lincoln,  who  had  climbed 
1 3  the  top  of  the  ranche,  cried  out : 


llg  THE   KIFLE    K ANGERS. 

"He's  safe  Cap'n."     Ther  dod-rotted  skunks  air  kuuimia  "'ithout  hiin." 
It  was  true.     A  minute  after,  the  horsemen  appeared  round  the  motte, 
riding  slowly  back,  with  that  air  and  attitude  that  betoken  disappointment 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

A   SHORT   FIGHT   AT   "  LONG   SHOT." 

The  escape  of  Raoul  and  Hercules  produced  an  effect  almost  magical  upon 
the  enemy.  Instead  of  the  listless,  defensive  attitude,  lately  assumed,  the 
guerilleros  were  now  in  motion  like  a  nest  of  roused  hornets,  scouring  over 
the  plain  and  yelling  like  a  war  party  of  Indians. 

They  did  not  surround  the  corral,  as  I  had  anticipated  they  would.  They 
had  no  fear  that  we  should  attempt  to  escape ;  but  they  knew  that,  instead 
of  the  three  days,  in  which  they  expected  to  kill  us  with  thirst  at  their  leisure, 
they  had  not  three  hours  left  to  accomplish  that  object.  Eaoul  would  reach 
the  camp  in  little  more  than  an  hour's  time,  and  either  infantry  or  mounted 
men  would  bo  on  them  in  two  hours  after. 

Scouts  were  seen  gallopping  off  in  the  direction  taken  by  Raoul ;  and  others 
dashed  into  the  woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  prairie.  All  was  hurry  and 
scurry. 

Along  with  Clayley  I  climbed  upon  the  roof  of  the  ranche,  to  watch  tha 
motions  of  the  enemy  and  to  find  out,  if  possible  his  intentions.  We  stood 
<br  some  time  without  speaking,  both  of  us  gazing  at  the  mancei.vres  of  tha 
guerilleros.  They  were  galloppiug  to  and  fro  over  tho  prairie,  excited  by  tha 
escape  of  Raoul. 

"  Splendidly  done  !"  exclaimed  my  companion,  struck  with  their  graceful 
horsemanship,  "One  of  those  fellows.  Captain,  as  he  sits  at  this  umnte, 
would " 

"  Ha  !  what ?"  shouted  he,  suddenly  turning  and  pointing  towards  the 

woods. 

I  looked  in  the  direction  indicated.  A  cloud  of  dust  was  visible  at  the  de- 
Oouchement  of  the  Medellin  road.    It  appeared  to  hang  over  a  small  body  of 


118  TUK    UIM.I'    K\NOKU8. 

troops  upon  the  march.  The  sun  was  just  setting ;  and,  as  this  cloud  lay  to- 
wards the  west,  I  could  distinguish  the  sparkling  of  bright  objects  through  its 
dun  Tolume.  The  guerilleros  had  reined  up  their  horses,  and  were  eagerly 
gazing  towards  the  same  point. 

Presently  the  dust  was  wafted  aside,  a  dozen  dark  forms  became  visible, 
and,  in  their  midst,  a  bright  object  flashed  under  the  sun  like  a  sheet  of  gold. 
At  the  same  instant,  an  exulting  shout  broke  from  the  guerilleros,  and  a  voice 
was  heard  exclaiming, 

"  Cenobio,  Cenohio  !    Los  canones .'"  (Cenobio  Cenobio,  the  cannon  !) 

Clayley  turned  towards  me  with  an  inquiring  look. 

"  It  is  true,  Clayley ;  by  heavens — we'll  have  it  now." 

"  What  did  they  say  ?" 

"  Look  for  yourself — well  ?" 

"  A  brass  piece,  as  I  live  ;  a  six-pound  carronade  !" 

"  We  are  fighting  the  guerilla  of  Cenobia — a  small  array  of  itself  Neither 
stockade  nor  motte  will  avail  us  now." 

"  What  is  to  be  done  ?"  asked  my  companion. 

"  Nothing,  but  die  with  arms  in  our  hands.  We  will  not  die  without  a 
struggle,  and  the  sooner  we  prepare  for  it  the  better." 

I  leaped  from  the  roof,  and  ordered  the  bugler  to  sound  the  assembly. 

In  a  moment,  the  clear  notes  rang  out,  and  the  soldiers  formed  before  me 
in  the  corral. 

"  My  brave  comrades  1"  cried  I,  "  they  have  got  the  advantage  of  us  at  last 
They  are  bringing  down  a  piece  of  artillery ;  and,  I  tear,  these  pickets  will 
offer  us  but  poor  shelter.  If  we  are  driven  out,  we  will  strike  for  that  island 
of  timber ;  and,  mark  us,  if  we  are  broken,  let  every  man  fight  his  way  as  he 
best  can,  or  die  over  a  fallen  enemy," 

A  determined  cheer  followed  this  short  harangue,  and  I  continued 

"  But  we  will  first  see  how  they  use  their  piece.  It  is  a  small  one,  and  will 
not  destroy  us  all  at  once.  Fling  yourselves  down  as  they  fire.  By  lying 
flat  on  our  llices,  we  may  not  suiTer  so  badly.  Perhaps  we  can  held  the 
corral  until  our  friends  reach  us.     At  all  events  we  will  try." 

Another  cheer  rang  along  the  line. 

"  Great  Heaven,  Captain,  it's  terrible  !"  whispered  the  Major. 

"What  is  terrible?"  I  asked,  feeling  at  the  moment  a  conteiopi  for  this 
blaspheming  coward. 

"  Oh  !  this — this  business — such  a  fix  to  be — " 

"  Major !  remember  you  are  a  soldier." 


THIC    KIFLIfi    KANGKRS.  119 

"Yes;  and  I  wish  I  had  resigned,  as  intended  to  do,  beftre  this  cursed 
•var  commenced." 

"Never  fear,"  said  I,  tempted  to  smile  at  the  randor  of  his  cowardice, 
'  3'ou'll  drink  wine  at  Hewlett's  in  a  month.  Get  behind  this  log,  it's  the 
jnly  point  shot-proof  in  the  whole  stockade." 

"  Do  you  think,  Captain,  it  will  stop  a  shot  ?" 

"  Ay,  from  a  siege-gun.     Look  out,  men,  and  be  ready  to  obey  orders  !" 

The  six-pounder  had  now  approached  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the 
stockade,  and  was  leisurely  being  unlimbered  in  the  midst  of  a  group  of  the 
enemy's  artillerists. 

At  this  moment,  the  voice  of  the  Major  arrested  my  attention. 

"  Great  Heaven,  Captain  !     Why  do  you  allow  them  to  come  so  near  ?" 

"  How  am  I  to  prevent  them  ?"  I  asked,  with  some  surprise. 

"  Why,  my  rifle  will  reach  farther  than  that.  It  might  keep  them  off,  I 
think." 

"  Major,  you  are  dreaming !"  said  I.  "  They  are  two  hundred  yards  beyond 
range  of  our  rifles.  If  they  would  only  come  within  that,  we  would  soon  send 
them  back  for  j^ou." 

"  But,  Captain,  mine  will  carry  twice  the  distance." 

I  looked  at  the  Major,  under  the  belief  that  he  had  taken  leave  of  his 


"  It's  a  Zfind-nadel,  I  assure  you,  and  will  kill  at  eight  hundred  yards." 

"  Is  it  possible !"  cried  I,  starting ;  for  T  now  recollected  the  curious-looking 
piece  which  I  had  ordered  to  be  cut  loose  from  the  saddle  of  Hercules.  "  Whj 
did  you  not  tell  me  that  before  ?  Where  is  Major  Blossom's  rifle  ?"  I  shouted 
looking  around. 

'•  This  yeer's  the  Major's  gtm,"  answered  Sergeant  Lincoln.  "  But  if  it's  9 
rifle,  I  never  seed  sich.     It  looks  more  like  a  two-year-old  kaiinon." 

It  was,  as  the  Major  had  declared,  a  conical  ball-rifle— a  new  ibvention — of 
which  I  had  heard  something. 

"  Is  it  loaded.  Major  ?"  I  asked,  taking  the  piece  from  Lincoln. 

•'  It  is." 

"  Can  you  hit  that  man  with  the  sponge  ?"  said  I,  returning  the  piece  to 
the  hunter. 

"  If  this  yeer  thing  '11  carry  fur  enuf,  I  kin,"  was  the  reply. 

"  It  will  kill  a  thousand  yards,  point  blank,"  cried  the  Major,  with  energy, 

"  Ha  !  are  you  sure  of  that.  Major  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Certainly,  Captain.     T  got  it  from  the  inventor.     We  tried  it  at  Wash- 


120  THK    RIKr,K    UANtiKRS. 

ington.  It  is  the  best  Prussian  conical  ball.  It  bored  a  hole  through  an  inch 
plank  at  that  distance." 

"  Well.     Now,  Sergeant,  take  sure  aim ;  this  may  save  us  yet." 

Lincoln  planted  himself  firmly  on  his  feet,  choosing  a  notch  of  the  stockade 
that  ranged  exactly  with  his  shoulder.  He  then  carefully  wiped  the  dust 
from  the  sights ;  and,  placing  the  heavy  barrel  in  the  notch,  laid  his  cheek 
Blowly  against  the  stock. 

"  Sergeant,  the  man  with  the  shot !"  I  called  out. 

As  I  spake,  one  of  the  artillerists  was  stooping  to  the  muzzle  of  the  si* 
launder,  holding  in  his  hand  a  spherical  case-shot.  Lincoln  pressed  the  naiet. 
The  crack  followed,  and  the  artillerist  threw  out  his  arms,  and  doubled  over 
on  his  head  without  giving  a  kick. 

The  shot  rolled  out  upon  the  green  sward.  A  wild  cry,  expressive  of 
extreme  astonishment,  broke  from  the  guerilleros.  At  the  same  instant,  a 
cheer  rang  through  the  corral. 

"  Well  done !"  cried  a  dozen  voices  at  once. 

In  a  moment,  the  rifle  was  wiped  and  re-loadod. 

"  This  time,  Sergeant,  the  fellow  with  the  firelock." 

During  the  re-loading  of  the  rifle,  the  Mexicans  around  the  six-pounder  had 
somewhat  recovered  from  their  surprise,  and  had  rammed  home  the  cartridge. 
A  tall  artillerist  stood,  with  linstock  and  fuse,  near  the  breech,  waiting  for  tba 
order  to  fire.  Before  he  received  that  order,  tlie  rifle  again  cracked — his  arm 
flew  up  with  a  sudden  jerk,  and  the  smoking  rod,  flj'ing  from  his  grasp,  was 
projected  to  the  distance  of  twenty  feet.  The  man.  himself,  spun  round,  and, 
Btaggering  a  pace  or  two,  fell  into  the  arms  of  his  comrade. 

"  Cap*n  jest  allow  me  ter  take  that  ere  skunk,  next  time." 

"  Which  one.  Sergeant  ?"  I  asked. 

'•  Him — tlict's  him  on  the  black,  makin  sich  a  dod-rotted  muss." 

1  recognised  the  horse  and  figure  of  Dubrosc. 

"  Certainly,  by  all  means,"  said  I,  with  a  strange  feeling  at  my  lieart,  as  1 
gave  the  order. 

But,  before  Lincoln  could  reload,  one  of  the  Mexicans,  apparently  an  officer, 
had  snatched  up  the  burning  fuse,  and,  running  up,  applied  it  to  the  touch 

"  On  your  faces,  men !" 

The  ball  came  crashing  through  the  thin  pickets  oi"  the  corral,  and,  whizzing 
across  the  enclosure,  struck  one  of  the  mules  on  the  flank,  tearing  open  its 
hip,  causing  it  to  kick  furiously  as  it  tumbled  over  the  ground.  Its  com- 
panions, stampeding,  gal  lopped,  for  a  moment,  through  the  nenn  •  then  col- 


•riiK    i;iKi.|-.    i;ANi;i',iis.  4'J 

parts  oi  the  castle;  and  thousands  of  pale  lips  whispered  in  accents  of  teiTor 
'•  They  come  !  they  come  !" 

As  yet  tliey  knew  not  how  the  attack  was  to  be  made,  or  where  to  lool 
for  the  descent. 

They  imagined  that  we  we  were  about  to  bombard  their  proud  fortress  ol 
San  Juan  ;  and  expected  soon  to  see  the  ships  of  these  rash  invaders  shattered 
and  sunk  before  its  walls. 

The  fleet  was  almost  within  long  range — the  black  buoyant  hulls  bounding 
fearlessly  over  the  water.  The  eager  crowd  thickened  upon  the  walls.  Tin 
artillerists  of  Santiago  had  gathered  around  their  guns,  silent  and  waiti-^i-: 
orders.  Already  the  burning  fuse  was  sending  forth  its  sulphurous  smell 
and  the  dry  powder  lay  tempting  on  the  touch,  wheu  a  quick,  sharp  cry  wa> 
heard  along  IIk'  walls  and  battlements — a  cry  of  mingled  rage,  disappointmeni. 
and  dismay  ! 

The  foremost  ship  had  swerved  suddenly  from  the  track ;  and  bearm^ 
sharply  to  the  left,  under  the  manege  of  a  skilful  helmsman,  was  runnin,; 
down  under  the  shelter  of  Sacrificios ! 

The  next  ship  followed  her  guide,  and  the  next,  and  the  next ;  and,  before 
the  astonished  multitude  recovered  from  their  surprise,  the  whole  fleet  had 
come  to,  within  pistol-shot  of  the  islandj 

The  enemy  new,  for  the  first  time,  perceived  the  ruse,  and  began  to  calculat. 
its  results.  Those  giant  shij)s,  that  but  a  moment  ago  seemed  rushing  to  de 
struction,  had  rounded  to  at  a  safe  distance,  and  were  preparing,  with  thf 
speed  and  skilfulness  of  a  perfect  discipline,  to  pour  a  hostile  host  upon  tht- 
defenceless  shores.  In  vain  the  cavalry-bugle  called  their  horseman  to  the 
saddle  ;  in  vain  the  artillery-car  rattled  along  the  streets ;  both  would  be  too 
late ! 

Meanwhile,  the  ships  let  fall  their  anchors  with  a  plunge,  and  a  rasping,  am' 
a  rattle.  The  sails  came  down  upon  the  yards ;  and  sailors  swung  themselves 
into  the  great  boats,  and  mixed  with  the  soldiers,  and  seized  the  oars. 

Then  the  blades  w  ere  suddenly  and  simultaneously  dropped  oti  the  surface 
of  the  wave — a  naval  officer  in  each  boat,  directing  tire  movements  of  the 
oarsmen. 

And  the  boats  pulled  out  nearer  the  shore  ;  and,  by  an  echellon  movement, 
took  their  places  in  line. 

Light  ships  of  war  were  thrown  upon  our  flanks,  to  cover  the  descent  by  a 
cross  fire.  No  enemy  had  yet  appeared,  and  all  eyes  were  turned  landward 
with  fiery  expectation.     Bounding  hearts  waited  impatiently  for  the  signal. 

Tlie  report  of  a  single  gun  was  at  length  heard  from  the  ship  of  the  com- 


50  THE    KIFLK    KANOER^. 

mander-in-chief;  and,  as  if  by  one  impulse,  a  thousand  oars  struck  the  water 
and  flung  up  the  spray  upon  their  broad  blades.  A  hundred  boats  leaped 
forward  simultaneously,  The  powerful  stroke  was  repeated,  and  propelled 
them  with  lightning  speed.  Now  was  the  exciting  race— the  regatta  of  war ! 
The  Dardan  rowers  would  have  been  distanced  here. 

On !  on !  with  the  velocity  of  the  wind,  over  the  blue  waves,  through  ths 
snowy  surf — on  ! 

And  now  we  ncared  the  shore,  and  officers  sprang  to  their  feet,  and  stood 
with  their  swords  drawn ;  and  soldiers  half  state,  half  crouched,  clutching 
their  muskets.  And  the  keels  gritted  upon  the  gravelly  bed  ;  and,  at  the 
signal,  a  thousand  men,  in  one  plunge,  flung  themselves  into  the  water,  and 
dashed  wildly  through  the  surf!  Thousands  followed,  holding  their  cartridges 
breast-high  ;  and  blades  were  glancing,  and  bayonets  gleaming,  and  banners 
waving  ;  and,  under  glancing  blades,  and  gleaming  bayonets  and  waving  ban- 
ners, the  dark  mass  rushed  high  upon  the  beach  ! 

Then  arose  a  cheer— loud,  long,  and  exulting.  It  pealed  along  the  whole 
line,  uttered  from  five  thousand  throats,  and  answered  by  twice  that  number 
from  the  anchored  ships.  It  echoed  along  the  shores,  and  back  from  the  dis- 
tant battlements. 

A  color-sergeant,  springing  forward,  rushed  up  the  steep  sides  of  a  sand- 
hill, and  planted  his  flag  upon  its  snowy  ridge. 

As  the  well-known  banner  swung  out  upon  the  breeze,  another  cheer,  wild 
and  thrilling,  ran  along  the  line ;  a  hundred  answering  flags  were  hauled  up 
through  the  fleet ;  the  ships  of  war  saluted  with  full  broadsides,  and  the  guns 
of  San  Juan,  now  for  the  first  time  waking  from  their  lethargic  silence,  poured 
forth  their  loudest  thunder  ! 

The  sun  was  just  setting,  as  our  column  commenced  its  advance  inward. 
After  winding,  for  a  short  distance,  through  the  defiles  of  the  hills,  we  halted 
for  the  night — our  left  wing  resting  upon  the  beach. 

The  soldiers  bivouacked  without  tents — sleeping  upon  their  a.rros,  with  th« 
Boft  sand  for  their  couch,  and  a  cartridge-box  for  their  pillow 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  INVESTMENT  OF  VERA  CKUZ. 

At  break  of  day  on  the  10th,  the  army  took  up  its  line  of  march,  through 
hills  of  sand-drift  Division  lapped  upon  division,  regiment  upon  regiment, 
extending  the  circle  of  investment  by  an  irregular  echellon.  Foot-rifles  and 
light  infontry  drove  the  enemy  from  ridge  to  ridge,  and  through  the  dark 
mazes  of  the  chapparal  gorge.  The  column  continued  its  tortuous  track, 
vt-inding  through  deep  defiles,  and  over  hot  white  hills,  like  a  bristling  snake. 
It  moved  within  range  of  the  guns  of  the  city,  screened  by  intervesing 
heights.  Now  and  then,  the  loud  cannon  of  Santiago  opened  upon  it.  as  some 
regiment  displayed,  crossing  a  defile,  or  pushing  over  the  spur  of  a  sand-hill. 
The  constant  rattling  of  rifles  and  musketry  told  that  our  skirmishers  were 
busy  in  the  advance.  The  Arsenal  was  carried  by  a  brilliant  charge,  and  the 
American  flag  waved  over  the  ruins  of  the  convent  IMalibran.  On  the  11th, 
the  Orizava  road  was  crossed,  and  the  light  troops  of  the  enemy  were  brushed 
from  the  neighboring  hills.  They  retired  sullenly  under  shelter  of  their 
heavy  guns,  and  within  the  walls  of  the  city. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  the  investment  was  complete.  Vera  Cruz  laj' 
within  a  semi-circle,  around  its  centre.  The  circumference  was  a  chain  of 
hostile  regiments  that  embraced  the  city  in  their  concave  arc.  The  right 
of  the  chain  pitched  its  tents  opposite  the  isle  Sacrificios ;  while,  five  miles  off, 
to  the  north,  its  left  rested  upon  the  hamlet,  Vergara.  The  sea  covered  the 
complement  of  this  circle,  guarded  by  a  fleet  of  dark  and  warlike  ships. 

The  diameter  hourly  grew  shorter.  The  lines  of  circumvallation  lapped 
closer  and  closer,  around  the  devoted  city,  until  the  American  pickets  appeared 


52  TlIK    RIPIJ'-,    UAiNlJKUS. 

along  the  ridges  of  the  nearest  hills,  and  within  range  of  the  guns  of  Santiago, 
Concepcion,  and  Ulloa. 

Fort  Concepcion  defends  the  city  on  the  north,  Santiago  on  the  south.  The 
celebrated  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa  stands  out  in  the  water  at  half-a- 
mile's  distance  from  the  mole. 

A  smooth  sand-plain,  only  a  mile  in  width,  lay  between  the  besiegers  and 
the  walls  of  the  besieged. 

After  tatoo-beat,  on  the  night  of  the  12th,  with  a  party  of  my  brother 
oflBcers,  I  ascended  the  high  hill  around  which  winds  the  road  leading  to 
Orizava. 

This  hill  overlooks  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz. 

Vera  Cruz  stands  on  the  beach,  on  a  smooth  table  of  sand  that  runs  back 
for  nearly  a  mile,  where  it  ends  in  high  ridges  of  drift  sand.  The  plain  itself 
18  perfectly  naked,  and  often,  during  high  tides,  and  "  northers,"  the  city 
becomes  nearly  .  nsulated  with  the  overflow  of  the  sea. 

The  back  coun  ry,  for  miles  inland,  is  a  continuation  of  sandy  spurs  and 
I'dgcs,  more  or  less  covered  with  chapparal.  There  are  but  few  "settle- 
ments."—  Here  and  there  the  "rancho"  of  a  peasant  or  herdsman,  and 
aocasionally  a ''  hacienda,"  or  a  small  hamlet.  It  is  thus  up  to  the  mountains^ 
with  some  exceptions,  as  around  Jalapa,  or  in  the  tobacco  country  of  Cordova 
and  Orizava. 

After  dragging  ourselves  wearily  through  the  soft  yielding  sand,  we  reached 
the  summit,  and  halted  on  a  projecting  ridge. 

With  the  exception  of  a  variety  of  exclamations  expressing  surprise  and 
delight,  not  a  word  for  a  while  was  uttered  by  any  of  our  party ;  each  indi- 
vidual being  wrapped  up  in  the  contemplation  of  a  scene  of  surpassing  interest. 
It  was  moonlight,  and  sufficiently  clear  to  distinguish  the  minutest  objects  on 
the  picture,  that  lay  rolled  out  before  us  like  a  map. 

Below  our  position,  and  seeming  almost  within  reach  of  the  hand,  lay  the 
''  City  of  the  True  Cross,"  rising  out  of  the  white  plain,  and  outlined  upon  the 
blue  background  x>f  the  sea. 

The  dark  grey  towers,  and  painted  domes ;  the  gothic  turret,  and  Moorish 
minaret,  impressed  us  with  an  idea  of  the  antique  ;  while  here  and  there  the 
tamarind  nourished  on  some  azotea*  or  the  fringed  leaves  of  the  palm-tree, 
drooping  over  the  notched  parapet,  lent  to  the  city  an  aspect  at  once  southern 
and  picturesque. 

Domes,  spires  and  cupolas  rose  over  the  old  grey  walls,  crowned  with 

*  Th«  name  given  to  the  flat  roofs  of  Spanish  hcusos. 


floating  banners— the  consular  flags  of  France,  and  Spain,  and  Britain,  waving 
alongside  the  eagle  of  the  Aztecs. 

Beyond,  the  blue  waters  of  the  gulf  rippled  lightly  against  the  sea-washed 
battlements  of  San  Juan,  whose  brilliant  lights  glistened  along  the  combing 
of  the  surf. 

To  the  south,  we  could  distinguish  the  isles  of  Sacrificios,  and  the  dark 
linlls  that  slept  silently  under  the  shelter  of  its  coral  reef. 

Outside  the  fortified  wall,  which  girt  the  city  with  its  cincture  of  grey  rock 
a  smooth  plain  stretched  rearward  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  on  which  we  stood ; 
and  right  and  left,  along  the  crest  of  the  ridge  from  Punta  Homos  .to  Vergara, 
ranged  a  line  of  dark  forms— the  picket  sentries  of  the  American  out-posts  as 
they  stood,  knee-deep,  in  the  soft  yielding  sand-drift. 

The  view  of  Vera  Cruz  from  the  sand-ridges  in  the  rear,  is  indeed,  a  picture 
of  surpassing  interest.  The  city  looks  as  if  it  had  been  built  to  make  a 
picture — so  fine  is  the  arrangement  of  its  turrets  and  roofs,  tied  into  a  compact 
body  by  the  wall  that  girdles  it.  It  reminds  one  of  the  engravings  we  used 
to  dream  over,  in  Goldsmith's  epitome  of  geography. 

It  was  a  picture  of  surpassing  interest,  and,  as  we  stood  gazing  upon  it,  the 
moon  suddenly  disappeared  behind  a  bank  of  clouds  ;  and  the  lamps  of  the 
city,  heretofore  eclipsed  by  her  brighter  beam,  now  burned  up  and  glistened 
along  the  walls. 

Bells  rung  merrily  from  church-towers ;  and  bugles  sounded  through  the 
echoing  streets.  At  intervals,  we  could  hear  the  shrill  cries  of  the  guard. 
'  Centinela  alerte  .'"  and  the  sharp  challenge  "  Quien  viva  ?" 

Then  the  sound  of  sweet  music,  mingled  with  the  soft  voices  of  women,  was 
wafted  to  our  ears,  and  with  beating  hearts,  we  fancied  we  conM  hear  the 
light  tread  of  silken  feet,  as  they  brushed  over  the  polished  floor  of  the 
ball-room ! 

It  was  a  tantalizing  moment,  and  wistful  glances  were  cast  on  the  be- 
leaguered town ;  while  more  than  one  of  our  party  was  heard  impatiently 
muttering  a  wish,  that  it  might  be  carried  by  assault. 

As  we  continued  gazing,  a  bright  jet  of  flame  shot  out  horizontally  from 
the  parapet  over  Puerto  Nuevo. 

"  Lookout !"  cried  Twing,  at  the  same  instant  flinging  his  wiry  little  carcass 
squat  under  the  brow  of  a  sand- wreath. 

Several  of  the  party  followed  his  example ;  but,  before  all  had  housed 
themselves,  a  shot  came  singing  past,  along  with  the  loud  report  of  a 
twenty-four. 


54  TIIIC    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

The  shot  struck  the  comb  of  the  ridge,  -within  several  yards  of  the  grcup. 
nnd  ricochetted  off  into  the  distant  hills. 

'•  Try  it  again  !"  cried  one. 

"  That  fellow  has  lost  a  champagne  supper !"  said  Twing. 

"  More  likely  he  has  had  it,  or  his  aim  would  be  more  steady,"  suggested 
an  officer. 

"  Oysters,  too — only  think  of  it !"  said  Clayley, 

"  Howld  your  tongue,  Clayley,  or  by  my  sowl,  I'll  charge  down  upon  the 
town !" 

This  came  from  Ilennessy,  upon  whose  imagination  the  contrast  between 
champagne  and  oj^sters,  and  the  gritty  pork  and  biscuit  he  had  been  feeding 
upon  for  several  days  past,  acted  like  a  shock. 

"  There  again  !"  cried  Twing,  whose  quick  e3'e  caught  the  blaze  upon  the 
parapet. 

"  A  shell,  by  the  powers  !"  exclaimed  Ilennessy.  "  Let  it  dhrop  first,  or 
it  may  dhrop  on  yez !"  he  continued,  as  several  officers  were  about  to  fling 
themselves  on  their  faces. 

The  bomb  shot  up  with  a  hissing,  hurtling  sound.  A  little  spark  could  be 
seen,  as  it  traced  its  graceful  curves  through  the  dark  heavens. 

The  report  echoed  from  the  walls,  and  at  the  same  instant  was  heard  a  dull 
sound,  as  the  shell  buried  itself  in  the  sand-drift. 

It  fell  close  to  one  of  the  picket  sentinels,  who  was  standing  upon  his  post 
within  a  few  paces  of  the  group.  The  man  appeared  to  be  either  asleep  or 
stupefied,  as  he  rem. lined  stock  still.  Perhaps  he  had  mistaken  it  for  the  ri- 
30chet  of  a  round  sh:>^. 

'•  It's  big  shooting  .'".ir  them  to  hit  the  hill !"  exclaimed  a  young  officer. 

The  words  were  scmce  passed,  when  a  loud  crash,  like  the  bursting  of  a 
cannon,  was  heard  under  our  feet — the  ground  opened  like  an  earthquake; 
and,  amidst  the  whistlin,.:  of  the  fragments,  the  sand  was  dashed  into  our 
faces ! 

A  cloud  of  dust  hung  for  a  moment  above  the  spot. 

The  moon,  at  this  instant,  re-appeared  ;  and,  as  the  dust  slowly  settled  away, 
tlic  mutilated  body  of  the  soldier  was  seen  upon  the  brow  of  the  hill,  at  the 
distance  of  twenty  paces  from  his  post 

A  low  cheer  rea(ilied  us  from  Conccpcion — the  fort  wlience  the  shell  had 
been  projected. 

Chagrined  at  the  occurrence,  and  mortified  that  it  had  been  caused  by  our 
imprudence,  we  wore  turning  to  leave  the  hill,  when  the  "  whish  "  of  a  rock6t 
attracted  our  attention. 


THK    Kir-r.E    RANGKRS.  55 

It  rose  from  the  chapparal,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  rear  of  the  camp  ; 
and,  before  it  had  reached  its  culminating  point,  a,n  answering  signal  shot  up 
from  the  Puerto  Nuevo. 

At  the  same  instant,  a  horseman  dashed  cul  of  the  thicket  and  headed  his 
horse  at  the  steep  sand-hills.  After  three  or  four  desperate  plunges,  the  fiery 
mustang  gained  the  crest  of  the  ridge  upon  which  lay  the  remains  of  the 
dead  soldier. 

Here  the  rider,  seeing  our  party,  suddenly  reined  up,  balancnig  for  a  mo 
ment,  as  if  uncertain  whether  to  advance  or  retreat. 

We,  on  the  other  hand,  taking  him  for  some  olBcer  of  our  own,  and  won- 
dering who  it  could  be  gallopping  about  at  such  an  hour,  stood  silent  and 
waiting. 

"By  heavens,  that's  a  Mexican !"  whispered  Twing,  as  the  ranchero  dress 
became  apparent  under  a  brighter  beam  of  the  moon. 

Before  any  one  could  reply,  the  strange  horseman  wheeled  sharply  to  the 
left,  and,  drawing  a  pistol,  fired  into  our  midst.  Then  spurring  his  wild 
horse,  he  gallopped  off  into  a  deep  defile  of  the  hills ! 

"  You're  a  set  of  Yankee  fools !"  he  shouted  back,  as  he  reached  the  bottom 
of  the  dell. 

Half-a-dozen  shots  replied  to  the  taunting  speech  ;  but  the  retreating  object 
was  beyond  pistol  range,  before  our  astonished  party  had  recovered  from  their 
surprise  at  such  an  act  of  daring  audacity  ! 

In  a  few  minutes  we  could  see  the  horseman — a  speck  on  the  white  plaic 
below — and  shortly  after  we  heard  the  grating  hinges  of  the  Puerto  Nuevo, 
SIS  the  huge  gate  swung  open  to  receive  him.  No  one  was  hit  by  the  shot  of 
his  pistol.  Several  could  be  heard  gritting  their  teeth  with  mortification,  aa 
we  commenced  descending  the  hill. 

Did  you  know  that  voice,  Captain  ?"  whispered  Clayley  to  mo,  as  we  re- 
turned to  camp. 

"  Yes." 

"You  think  it  was--?" 

^  Dubrosc." 


CHAPTER  XL 

MAJOR    BLOSSOM. 

On  reaching  the  camp,  I  found  a  mounzed  orderly  in  front  of  my  tent 
"  From  the  General,"  said  the  soldier,  touching  his  cap,  and  handing  me 
sealed  note. 
The  orderly,  without  waiting  a  reply,  leaped  into  his  saddle  and  rode  off. 
I  broke  the  seal,  and  read  with  delight : 

"  Sir — You  will  report  with  fifty  men,  to  Major  Elossora  at  4  a.  m.  to- 
morrow. By  order, 

(Signed)  A.  A.  A.  C." 

Captain  IIallkr,  Commanding  Co.  Riflo  Rangers. 

"  Old  Bios,  eh  ?  quarter-master  scouting  I  hope,"  said  Claylcy,  looking  over 
the  coui-cuus  of  the  note. 

"  Anything  but  the  trenches  ;  I  am  sick  of  them." 

"  Had  it  been  anybody  else  but  Blossom — fighting  Daniels  for  instance — we 
might  have  reckoned  on  a  comfortable  bit  of  duty ;  but  the  old  whale  can 
hardly  climb  into  his  saddle — it  does  look  bad." 

I  will  not  remain  long  in  doubt.  Order  the  sergeant  to  warn  the  men  for 
four." 

I  walked  through  tho  camp  in  search  of  Blossom's  marquee,  which  I  found 
in  an  arbutus  grove,  and  out  of  range  of  the  heaviest  metal  in  Vera  Cruz.  The 
.Major  himself  was  seated  in  a  large  canipcachy*  chair,  that  had  been  "  bor- 

•  A  chair  of  a  peculiar  fashion,  with  a  concave  seat  mrJe  of  raw-biJo,  or  leather.  Thejr 
•n  to  bf  found  in  Mexico  in  almost  every  respectable  house 


THE    RTFLE    RANGERS.  57 

rowed"  from  some  neighboring  ranche,  and  perhaps  it  was  never  so  well  filled, 
as  by  its  present  occupant. 

It  would  be  useless  to  attempt  an  elaborate  description  of  Major  Blossom. 
That  would  require  an  entire  chapter. 

Perhaps  the  best  that  can  be  done  to  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  him,  is  to 
say,  that  he  was  a  great,  fat,  red  man,  and  known  among  his  brother  oflBcers 
as  the  "  swearing  major."  If  any  one  in  the  army  loved  good  living,  it  was 
Major  Blossom,  and  if  any  one  hated  hard  living,  that  man  was  Major  George 
Blossom.  He  hated  Mexicans,  too,  and  mosquitoes,  and  scorpions,  and  snakes, 
and  sand-flies,  and  all  enemies  to  his  rest  and  comfort ;  and  the  manner  in 
which  he  swore  at  these  natural  foes,  would  have  entitled  him  to  a  high  com- 
mission in  the  celebrated  army  of  Flanders. 

Major  Blossom  was  a  quarter-master  in  more  senses  than  one;  as  he  occu- 
pied more  quarters  than  any  two  men  in  the  army,  not  excepting  the  Gencral- 
m-chief;  and,  when  many  a  braver  and  better  ofScer  was  cut  down  to 
"  twenty-five  pounds  of  baggage  "  the  private  lumber  of  Major  Blossom, 
including  himself,  occupied  a  string  of  wagons  like  a  siege  train. 

As  I  entered  the  tent,  he  was  seated  at  supper.  The  viands  before  him 
^ere  in  striking  contrast  to  the  food,  upon  which  the  army  was  then  subsist- 
ing. There  was  no  gravel  gritting  between  the  ^Major's  teeth  as  he  masti- 
cated mess-pork  or  mouldy  biscuit.  He  found  no  debris  of  sand  and  small 
rooks  at  the  bottom  of  his  coffee-cup     No;  quite  the  contrary. 

A  dish  of  pickled  salmon,  a  side  of  cold  turkey,  several  plates  of  sliced 
tongue,  with  a  fine  Virginia  ham,  were  the  striking  features  of  the  Major's 
supper ;  while  a  handsome  French  coffee-urn,  containing  the  essence  of  Mocha, 
tiimmered  upon  the  table.  Out  of  this  the  Major,  from  time  to  time,  replen- 
ished his  silver  cup.  A  bottle  of  eau-de-vie  that  stood  near  his  right  hand, 
assisted  him  likewise  in  swallowing  his  ample  ration. 

''  Major  Blossom,  I  presume  ?"  said  I. 

'  My  name,"  ejaculated  the  Major,  between  two  swallows,  so  short  and 
quick,  that  the  phrase  sounded  like  a  monosyllable. 

"  I  have  received  orders  to  report  to  you.  sir." 

"  Ah  !  bad  business  !  bad  business  !"  exclaimed  the  Major  quulifying  the 
badness  of  the  business  with  an  energetic  oath. 

'•  How,  sir  7" 

"  Atrocious  business — dangerous  service — can't  see  why' they  sent  me. 

"  I  came,  Major,  to  inquire  the  natur-e  of  the  service,  so  that  I  may  have  my 
men  in  order  for  it." 


58  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Horrid^  dangerous  service  !" 

« It  is  ?" 

"  Infernal  cut-throats,  thousands  of  'em  in  the  bushes — bore  a  man  through 
without  as  much  as  a  wink.  Those  yellow  monsters  are  worse  than — "  and 
again  the  swearing  Major  wound  up  with  an  exclamation  not  proper  to  bo 
repeated," 

"  Can't  see  why  they  picked  ine  out ;  there's  Myers,  and  Wayne,  and  Wood 
not  half  my  size,  and  that  thin  scare-the-crows,  Allen — but  no ;  the  General 
wants  7Tie  killed.     Die  soon  enough  in  this  infernal  nest  of  centipedes  without 
being  shot  in  the  chapparal !  I  wish  the    chapparal  was — "  and  again  tho 
Major's  unmentionable  words  came  pouring  forth  in  a  volley. 

I  saw  that  it  was  useless  to  interrupt  him  until  the  first  burst  Avas  over 
From  his  frequent  anathemas  on  the  "  bushes"  and  the  "  chapparal,"  I  could 
gather  that  the  service  I  was  called  upon  to  perform  lay  at  some  distance 
from  the  camp  ;  but  beyond  this  I  could  learn  nothing,  until  the  IMajor  had 
sworn  himself  into  a  degree  of  composure,  which,  after  some  minutes,  he  accom- 
plished.    I  then  re-stated  the  object  of  my  visit. 

"  We're  going  into  the  country  for  mules,"  replied  the  Major ;  "  mules, 
indeed  !  Heaven  knows  there  is'nt  a  mule  \vithin  ten  miles,  unless  with  a 
yellow  Mexican  on  his  back  !  and  such  mules  we  don't  want,  not  a  bit  of  it 
The  volunteers — "  and  here  came  another  of  the  Major's  anathemas,  "  have 
scared  everything  to  the  mountains  ;  not  a  stick  of  celery,  nor  an  onion  to  be 
had,  at  any  price." 

"  How  long  do  you  think  we  will  be  gone  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  Long  1  Only  a  day  !  If  I  stay  over  night  in  the  chapparal,  may  a  wolf  eat 
me !  Oh,  no  !  If  the  mules  don't  turn  up  soon,  somebody  else  may  go  fetch 
'em.  that's  all !" 

"  I  may  ration,  them,  for  one  daj;-  ?'  said  I. 

"  Two — two  ;   your  fellow  '11  *be   hungr}-,     Roberts,  of  the   Rifles,   who's 

been  out  in  the  country,  tells  me  there  isn't  enough  forage  to  feed  a  cat.     So 

,  you'd  better  take  two  days'  biscuit ;  I  suppose  we'll  meet  with  beef  enough 

I  en  the  hoof;  though  I'd  rather  have  a  rumpsteak  outof  the  Philadelphia  markci 

■  than  all  the  beef  in  Mexico.    Hang  their  beef!  it's  as  tough  as  tan  leather." 

"  At  four  o'clock,  then.  Major,  I'll  be  with  you."  said  I,  preparing  to  take, 
my  leave. 

"  Make  it  a  little  later,  Captain  ;  I  get  no  sleep  with  tliesc  curswl  gallinij)- 
pers  and  things — but  sta}' ;  how  many  men  have  you  got  ?" 

■*In  my  company  eight}' ;  but  my  onler  is  to  take  only  fift}'." 
■    "There  again  !  I  told  you  so;  \\;nit  lue  killed,  the}'  want  old  Bios  killed. 


TIM-    i;!i  I.;;    i;.\  sciriis.  59 

FiAy  men,  when  a  thousand  of  them  leather-skinned  devils  have  been  seen, 
not  ten  miles  off!  Fifty  men  !  great  heavens ;  fifty  men  !  There's  an  escort 
to  take  the  chapparal  with  !" 

"  But  they  are  fifty  men  worth  a  hundred,  I  promise  you." 
"  And  if  they  were  worth  five  hundred,  it  wouldn't  be  enough ;  I  tell  you 
the  chapparal's  full — ^^fuU  as  — "  (a  certain  place  of  torment  familiar  to  the 
Major's  lips). 

"  We  will  have  to  proceed  with  the  more  caution,"  I  rejoined. 
"  Caution !"   and  caution  was  summarily  sentenced  to  the  same  regions. 
•  Bring  all,  every  son  of  a  gun,  drummer  and  all !" 
"  But  that,  !Major,  would  be  contrary  to  the  General's  orders." 
"  Hang  the  General's  orders  !     Obey  some  General's  orders  in  this  army, 
tnd  you  would  do  queer  things.     Bring  them  all,  take  my  advice.     I  tell  you 
tf  you  don't  our  lives  may  answer  for  it.     Fifty  men  !" 
I  was  about  to  depart,  when  the  Major  stopped  me  with  a  loud  "  hilloa  !" 
"  Why,"  cried  he,  '•  I  have  lest  my  senses — j'our  pardon.  Captain.     This 
tnlucky  thing  has  driven  me  crazy.     They  must  pick  upon  me  !    What  will 
70U  drink  1     Here's  some  good  brandy — infernal  good — sorry  I  can't  say  as 
much  for  the  water."  ,  ^ 

I  mixed  a  glass  of  brandy  and  water.     The  Major  did  the  same,  and,  pledg- 
ing each  other,  we  bade  "  good  night,"  and  separated. 


CHAPTER   X. 

GOING   ON   THE   SCOUT. 

Before  daybreak,  a  head  appeared  bet^veen  the  flaps  of  my  tent.  It  w»a 
that  of  Sergeant  Bob  Lincoln. 

"  The  men  er  under  arms,  Cap'n." 

"  Very  well,"  cried  I,  leaping  from  my  bed,  and  hastily  buckling  on  my 
accoutrements.  I  looked  forth.  The  moon  was  still  brightly  shining,  and  I 
could  see  a  number  of  uniformed  men  standing  upon  the  company  parade,  in 
double  rank,  directly  in  front  of  my  tent,  a  small  boy  was  saddling  a  verj 
«!inall  horse.  The  boy  was  "  Little  Jack,"  as  the  soldiers  called  him  ;  and 
the  horse  was  Little  Jack's  mustang,  "  Twidget." 

Jack  wore  a  tight-fitting  green  jacket,  trimmed  with  yellow  lace,  and  but- 
toned up  to  the  throat ;  pantaloons  of  light  green,  straight  cut  and  striped 
along  the  seams ;  a  forage  cap  set  jauntily  upon  a  profusion  of  bright  curls ;  a 
sabre  with  a  blade  of  eighteen  inches,  and  a  pair  of  clinking  Mexican  spurs. 
Besides  these,  he  carried  the  smallest  of  all  rifles.  Thus  armed  and  accoutred, 
ho  presented  the  appearance  of  a  miniature  ranger. 

Twidget  had  his  peculiarities.  He  was  a  tight,  wiry,  little  animal,  that 
could  live  upon  mezquite  beans,  or  maguey  leaves,  for  an  indefinite  time ;  and 
his  abstemiousness  was  often  put  to  the  tost.  On  one  occasion,  during  th* 
battles  in  the  valley  of  Mexico,  Jack  and  Twidget  had  somehow  got  separated, 
at  which  time  the  mustang  had  been  shut  up  for  four  days  in  the  cellar  of  a 
ruined  convent  with  no  other  food  than  stones  and  mortar  !  IIow  Twidget 
came  by  his  name  is  not  clear.  Perhaps  it  was  some  wnif  of  the  j-ider's  own 
ranc3\ 


Till-:    KIFf.K    i;AN(iKKS.  61 

AS  I  appeared  at  the  entrance  of  my  tent,  Jack  had  just  finished  strapping 
on  his  Mexican  saddle  ,  and  seeing  me  he  ran  to  assist  in  serving  my  break- 
fast. This  was  hastily  despatched,  and  we  took  the  route  in  silence  through 
the  sleeping  camp.  Shortly  after,  we  were  joined  by  the  Major,  mounted  on 
a  tall,  raw-looking  horse ;  while  a  darkie,  whom  the  IMajor  addressed  as 
"  Doc,"  rode  a  snug  looking  cob,  and  carried  a  basket.  This  last  contained 
the  Major's  commissariat. 

We  came  out  on  the  Orizava  Road,  the  INIajor  and  Jack  riding  in  the 
advance.  I  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  contrast  between  these  two  equestri- 
ans ;  the  former  with  his  great  gaunt  horse,  looming  up  in  the  uncertain  light 
of  the  morning  like  some  huge  centaur ;  while  Jack  and  Twidget  appeared 
like  two  representatives  of  the  kingdom  of  Lilliput ! 

On  turning  an  angle  of  the  forest,  a  horseman  appeared  at  some  distance 
along  the  road.  The  Major  gradually  slackened  his  pace,  imtil  he  was  square 
with  the  head  of  the  column,  and  then  fell  back  into  the  rear.  This  manoeuvre 
was  executed  in  the  most  natural  manner,  but  I  could  plainly  see  that  the 
mounted  Mexican  had  caused  the  jNIajor  no  small  degree  of  alarm. 

The  horseman  proved  to  be  a  zamho*  in  pursuit  of  some  cattle  that  had 
escaped  from  a  neighboring  corral.  The  zambo  pointed  to  the  south,  saying,  in 
Spanish,  that  mules  were  plenty  in  that  direction. 

'•  Hay  muchos,  viuchissimos .'"  (there  are  many)  said  he,  as  he  indicated 
tt  road  which  led  through  a  strip  of  woods  on  our  left.  i 

Following  his  direction,  I  struck  into  the  new  path,  which  soon  narrowed 
into  a  bridle  road,  or  trail.  The  men  were  thrown  into  single  file,  and 
marched  d  VIndienne.  The  road  darkened,  passing  ander  thick-leaved  trees, 
that  met  and  twined  over  our  heads. 

At  times,  the  hanging  limbs  and  joining  parasites,  caused  the  Jlajor  to 
flatten  his  huge  body  upon  the  horn  of  the  saddle ;  and  once  or  twice  he  waa 
obliged  to  alight,  and  wsilk  under  the  light  branches  of  the  thorny  acacia. 

Our  journey  continued  without  noise;  silence  being  interrupted  only  by  an 
occasional  oath  from  the  Major,  uttered,  however,  in  a  low  tone,  as  we  wers 
now  fairly  "  in  the  woods."  The  road,  at  length,  opened  upon  a  small  prairie, 
or  glade,  near  the  borders  of  which  rose  a  high  '•  buttc,"*  covered  witli 
thickets  of  nopal. 

*  A  cross  of  the  ncgrr  and  mestiza.  Tharo  aro  many  of  this  race  along  iJ'o  toart  of 
Um  Tierra  Calicnte 

*  Knoll. 


62  TUE   KIFLE   RANGERS. 

Leaving  my  men  in  ambuscade  below,  I  ascended  the  butte,  to  obtain  a 
view  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  day  had  now  fairly  broke,  ajid  the  sun 
was  just  rising  over  the  blue  waters  of  the  gulf. 

His  rays,  prinkling  over  the  waves,  caused  them  to  dance  and  sparkle  with 
a  metallic  brightness;  and.  it. was  only  after  shading  my  eyes,  that  I  could 
distinguish  the  tall  masts  of  ships  and  the  burnished  towers  of  the  city. 

To  the  south  and  west  stretched  a  wide  expanse  of  champaign  country, 
glowing  in  all  the  brilliance  of  tropical  vegetation.  Fields  of  green,  and  forests 
of  darker  green,  here  and  there  patches  of  yellow,  and  belts  of  olive-colored 
leaves ;  at  intervals,  a  sheet  of  silver — the  reflection  from  a  placid  lake,  or  the 
bend  of  some  silent  stream — was  visible  upon  the  imposing  picture  at  my  feet. 

A  broad  belt  of  forest,  dotted  with  the  life-like  frondage  of  the  palm,t  swept 
ap  to  the  foot  of  the  hill.  Beyond  this  lay  an  open  tract  of  meadow,  or 
prairie,  upon  which  were  browsing  thousands  of  cattle.  The  distance  was  too 
great  to  distinguish  thoir  species,  but  the  slender  forms  of  some  of  them  con- 
vinced me  that  the  object  of  our  search  would  be  found  in  this  direction. 

The  meadow,  then,  was  the  point  to  be  reached. 

The  belt  of  forest  already  mentioned  must  be  crossed ;  and,  to  effect  this, 
I  struck  into  a  trail,  which  seemed  to  lead  in  the  direction  of  the  meadow. 

The  trail  became  lighter  as  we  entered  the  heavy  timber.  Some  distance 
further  on,  we  reached  a  stream.  Here  the  trail  entirely  disappeared.  No 
"  signs"  could  be  found  on  the  opposite  bank.  The  underwood  was  thick, 
and  vines,  with  broad  green  leaves  and  huge  clusters  of  scarlet  flowers,  barred 
up  the  path  like  a  wall. 

It  was  strange  !  the  path  had  evidently  led  to  this  point,  but  where 
beyond  ?  Several  men  were  detached  across  the  stream  to  find  an  opening. 
After  a  search  of  several  minutes,  a  short  exclamation  from  Lincoln  pro- 
claimed success.  I  crossed  over,  and  found  the  hunter  standing  near  the 
bank,  holding  back  a  huge  screen  of  boughs  and  vine-leaves,  beyond  which  a 
narrow,  but  plain  track  was  easily  distinguished,  leadmg  on  into  the  forest. 
The  trellis  closed  like  a  gate ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  art  had  lent  a  hand  to  the 
concealment  of  the  track.  The  foot-prints  of  several  horses  were  plainly 
visible  in  the  sandy  bottom  of  the  road.  The  men  entered  in  single  file.  AVith 
some  difficulty,  Major  Blossom  and  his  great  horse  squeezed  themsulves 
under,  and  we  moved  on  through  the  daik  and  silent  woods. 

1  I  "have  boon  struck  with  this  peculiarity  of  tho  palm-trco.  As  it  rises  over  the  jun- 
gle, the  regularity  of  its  structure  imparts  tho  idea  of  something  animated,  or  belong iny 
to  a  kingdom  of  nature  difforent  from  that  of  its  forest  companion3. 


TIIF,    KIFLE    RANGKRS.  63 

After  a  march  of  several  miles,  fording  numerous  streams,  and  working  our 
way  through  tangled  thickets  of  nopal  and  wild  maguey,*  an  opening  suddenly 
appeared  through  the  trees.  Emerging  from  the  forest,  a  brilliant  scene  burst 
upon  us.  A  large  clearing,  evidently  once  cultivated,  but  now  in  a  state  of 
neglect,  stretched  out  before  us.  Broad  fields,  covered  with  flowers  of  every 
hue — thickets  of  blooming  rose-trees — belts  of  the  yellow  helianthus — mid 
patches  of  half-wild  plantains,  formed  a  picture  singular  and  beautiful. 

On  one  side,  and  close  to  the  border  of  the  forest,  could  be  seen  the  roof  of 
a  house,  peering  above  groves  of  glistening  trees,  and  thither  we  marched. 

We  entered  a  lane,  with  its  guardarayas]  of  orange  trees  planted  in  rows 
upon  each  side,  and  meeting  overhead. 

The  sunlight  fell  through  this  leafy  screen  with  a  mellowed  and  delicious 
softness,  and  the  perfumes  of  a  thousand  flowers  were  wafted  on  the  air. 

The  rich  music  of  birds  was  around  us ;  and  the  loveliness  of  the  scene 
was  heightened  by  the  wild  neglect  which  had  stamped  itself  on  every 
object. 

On  approaching  the  house  we  halted,  and  charging  the  men  to  remain 
silent,  I  advanced  alone  to  reconnoitre. 

*  Tho  maguey  spoken  of  in  these  sketches  is  not  the  celebrated  plant  from  which  jmlqut 
Is  extracted,  but  a  species  of  aloes  (agave)  that  flourishes  in  the  tierra  caliente.  Tha 
other — the  pulque — is  only  found  upon  tho  uplands — the  tierra  templada — where  it  is  ex- 
tensively cultivated  for  tho  refreshing  beverage  which  it  produces.  Its  leaves  are  inva- 
riably of  a  dark,  uniform  green,  while  those  of  the  wild  species  are  mottled  with  a  bright 
icarlet.  These  are,  besides,  more  slender  and  thorny.  The  wild  maguey  jjrodaoes  t, 
species  of  fiery  whiskey — the  mezcal  of  travellers. 

t  Lanes  shaded  with  tropical  trees,  such  as  palms,  caymetes,  shaddocks,  are  so  oall*t] 
by  the  Spanish- Americana 


CHAPTER  XL 

ADVENTURE    WITH    A    CAYMAN. 

The  lane  suddenly  opened  upon  a  pasture,  but  within  ihis  a  thick  bedgt 
of  jessamines,  forming  a  circle,  barred  the  view. 

In  this  circle  was  the  house,  whose  roof  only  could  be  seen  from  without. 

Not  finding  any  opening  through  the  jessamines,  I  parted  the  leaves  with 
rtiy  band,  and  looked  through.  The  picture  was  dream-like.  So  strange,  I 
could  scarce  credit  my  senses.    "  "Was  it  real  ?" 

On  the  crest  of  the  little  hillock  stood  a  house  of  rare  construction — unique 
and  unlike  any  thing  I  had  ever  seen. 

The  sides  were  formed  of  bamboos,  closely  picketed,  and  laced  together  by 
strips  of  the  palmilla.  Tlie  roof — a  thatch  of  palm-leaves — projected  far  ovei 
the  eaves,  rising  to  a  cone,  and  terminating  in  a  small  wooden  cupola,  with  a 
cross.  There  were  no  windows.  The  walls  themselves  were  translucent ; 
and  articles  of  furniture  could  be  distinguished  through  the  interstices  of  tbo 
bamboos. 

The  houses  of  the  tiei~ra  calients  are  frail  structures,  similar  to  the  one 
described,  tliough  generally  ruder.  In  the  forests  clothing  the  sides  of 
mountains,  you  meet  with  the  log-cabin,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the 
United  States.  On  the  elevated  plains,  you  come  to  the  endless  adobes,  or 
sun-dried  bricks.  Cottages  of  this  material  are  nothing  better  than  mud- 
cabins,  such  as  appear  in  various  parts  of  Trelanil  and  other  countries. 

A  curtain  of  green  barege,  supported  by  a  rod  and  rings,  formed  thti 
door.  This  was  drawn,  discovering  an  ottoman  near  the  entrance,  .•vi:d  an 
elegant  harp. 


THE    RTFLK    RANGERS.  65 

The  whole  structure  presented  the  cmp  (Pceil  of  a  huge  bird-cage,  with  its 
wires  of  gold  ! 

The  grounds  were  in  keeping  with  the  house.  lu  these,  the  evidence  of 
neglect,  which  had  been  noticed  without,  existed  no  longer.  Every  object 
appeared  to  be  under  the  training  of  a  watchful  solicitude. 

A  thick  grove  of  olives,  with  their  gnarled  and  spreading  branches,  and 
dark  green  leaves,  stretched  rearward,  forming  a  back-ground  to  the  picture. 
Right  and  left  grew  clumps  of  orange  and  lime  trees.  Golden  fruit  and 
flowers  of  brilliant  huss  mingled  with  their  yellow  leaves.  Spring  and  autumn 
blended  upon  the  same  branches  ! 

Rare  shrubs — exotics — grew  out  of  large  vessels  of  japanned  earthenware, 
whose  brilliant  tints  added  to  the  voluptuous  coloring  of  the  scene. 

A  jet  d'eau,  crystalline,  rose  to  the  height  of  twenty  feet,  and  returning  in 
a  shower  of  prismatic  globules,  stole  away  through  a  bed  of  water-lilies  and 
other  aquatic  plants,  losing  itself  in  a  grove  of  lofty  plaintain  trees.  These 
growing  from  the  cool  watery  bed,  flung  out  their  broad  glistening  leaves  to 
the  length  of  twenty  feet. 

No  signs  of  human  life  met  the  eye.  The  birds  alone  seemed  to  revel  in 
the  luxuriance  of  this  tropical  paradise. 

A  brace  of  peafowl  stalked  over  the  parterre  in  all  the  pride  of  their  rain 
bow  plumage. 

In  the  fountain  appeared  the  tall  form  of  a  flamingo :  his  scarlet  plumage 
contrasting  with  the  green  leaves  of  the  water-lily. 

Songsters  were  trilling  in  every  tree. 

The  mock-bird  perched  upon  the  highest  limb,  was  mimicking  the  monot- 
onous tones  of  the  parrot.  The  grakle  and  gold-bird  flashed  from  grove  to 
grove,  or  balanced  their  bodies  under  the  spray  of  the  jet  d'eau;  while  the 
humming-bird  hung  upon  the  leaves  of  some  honeyed  blossom,  or  prinkled 
over  the  parterre  like  a  straying  sunbeam ! 

I  was  running  my  eye  over  this  dreamlike  picture,  in  search  of  a  human 
figure,  when  the  soft  metallic  accents  of  a  female  voice  reached  me  from  the 
grove  of  plaintains.  It  was  a  burst  of  laughter — clear  and  ringing.  Then 
followed  another,  with  short  exclamations  and  the  sound  of  water,  as  if  dashed 
and  sprinkled  with  a  light  hand. 

What  must  be  the  Eve  of  a  Paradise  like  this  ?  The  silvery  tones  were 
full  of  promise.  It  was  the  first  female  voice  that  had  greeted  my  cars  for  a 
month,  and  chords  long  slumbering  vibrated  under  the  exquisite  touch- 

My  heart  bounded.     My  first  impulse  was  "  forward,"  which  I  obeyed  by 


fj(J  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

fipringing  through  the  jessamines.  Jiut  the  fear  of  intruding  upon  a  scone  d 
ia  Diam  changed  my  determination  and  mj^  next  thought  was  to  make  a 
quiet  retreat. 

I  was  preparing  to  return,  and  had  thrust  one  leg  back  through  the  hedge, 
when  a  harsh  voice— apparently  that  of  a  man— mingled  with  the  silvery 
tones. 

'  ^nda—anda — hace  miicho  color.  Vamos  a  volver."  ("  Hasten — it  ia 
hot.     Let  us  return.") 

"  Ah,  no !  Pepe ;  ?<n  ratito  mas:''  ("  Ah,  no !  Pepe ;  a  Httle  while 
longer.") 

«  Vaya,  carrambo .'"     ("  Quick,  then  !") 

Again  the  clear  laughter  rang  out,  mingled  with  the  clapping  of  hands,  and 
short  exclamations  of  delight. 

"  Come,"  thought  I,  once  more  entering  the  parterre,  "  as  there  appears  to 
be  one  of  my  own  sex  here  already,,  it  cannot  be  very  mal-d-propos  to  take  a 
peep  at  this  amusement,  whatever  it  be." 

I  approached  the  row  of  plantain-trees,  whoso  leaves  screened  the  speakers 
from  view. 

^"■Lupe  !  Lupe  !  mira  !  que  honlto  .'"  ("  Lupe,  Lupe  !  look  here  !  What 
a  pretty  thing!") 

"  Ah,  pobrecito !  echaio,  Liiz,  echalo  .'"  ("  Ah  !  poor  little  thing  !  fling  it 
back.  Luz !") 

"  Voij  luego  .'"     ('•  Presently  !") 

I  stooped  down,  and  silently  parted  the  broad  silken  leaves.  The  sight 
was  divine  ! 

Within  lay  a  circular  tank,  or  basin,  of  crystal  water,  sevoral  rods  in  diam- 
eter, and  walled  in  on  all  sides  by  the  high  screen  of  glossy  plantains,  whose 
giant  leaves  stretching  out  horizontally,  sheltered  it  from  the  rays  of  the  noon- 
day sun. 

A  low  parapet  of  mason-work  ran  around,  forming  the  circumference  of  the 
circle.  This  was  japanned  with  a  species  of  porcelain— whose  deep  coloring 
of  blue,  and  green,  and  yellow,  was  displayed  in  a  variety  of  grotesque  figures. 

A  strong  jet  boiled  up  in  the  centre,  by  the  refraction  of  whoso  ripples  the 
gold  and  red  fish  seemed  multiplied  into  myriads. 

At  a  distant  point  a  bed  of  water-lilies  hung  out  from  the  parapet ;  and 
the  long,  thin  neck  of  a  swan  rose  gracefully  over  the  leaves.  Another,  hia 
mate.^  stood  upon  the  bank,  drying  her  snowy  pinions  in  the  sun. 


A 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS.  67 

A  different  object  attracted  me,  depriving  me^  for  awhile,  of  the  power  of 
action.  ' 

In  the  water,  and  near  the  jet,  were  two  beautiful  girls,  clothed  in  a  sort  of 
sleeveless  green  tunic,  loosely  girdled.  They  were  immersed  to  the  waist,  bo 
pellucid  was  the  water,  that  their  little  feet  were  distinctly  visible  at  the  bot- 
tom, shining  like  gold. 

Luxuftant  hair  fell  down  in  broad  flakes,  partially  shrouding  the  snowy 
development  of  their  arms  and  shoulders.  Their  forms  were  strikingly  similiar. 
Ta'?  graceful,  'uUy  developed,  and  characterized  by  that  elliptical  line  erf 
beauty  that  in  the  female  form,  more  than  any  other  earthly  object  illustrAtes 
the  far-famed  curve  of  Hogarth. 

Their  features,  too,  were  alike.  "  Sisters !"  one  would  exclaim,  and  yet  their 
complexions  were  strikingly  dissimilar.  The  blood  mantling  darker  in  the 
veins  of  one,  lent  an  olive  tinge  to  the  soft  and  wax-like  surface  of  her  skin ; 
while  the  red  upon  her  cheeks  and  lips  presented  an  admixture  of  purple.  Her 
hair,  too,  was  black  ;  and  a  dark  shading  along  the  upper  lip,  soft  and  silken 
as  the  tracery  of  a  crayon,  contrasted  with  the  dazzling  whiteness  of  her  teeth, 
Her  eyes  were  black,  large,  and  almond-shaped — with  that  expression  which 
looks  over  one  ;  and  her  whole  appearance  formed  a  type  of  that  beauty  which 
we  associate  with  the  Abencerrage  and  the  Alhambra.  This  was  evidently 
the  elder.  The  other  was  the  type  of  a  distinct  class  of  beauty — the  golden- 
haired  blonde.  Her  eyes  were  large,  globular,  and  blue  as  turquoise.  Her 
hair  of  a  chastened  yellow,  long  and  luxuriant;  while  her  skin,  less  soft  and 
waxen  than  that  of  her  sister,  presented  an  effusion  of  roseate  blushes,  that 
extended  along  the  snowy  whiteness  of  her  arms.  These,  in  the  sun, 
appeared  as  bloodless  and  transparent  as  the  tiny  goldfish  that  quivered  in 
her  uplifted  hand  ! 

I  was  rivetted  to  the  spot.  My  first  impulse  was  to  retire,  silently  and 
modestly,  but  the  power  of  a  strange  fascination  for  a  moment  prevented  me. 
Was  it  a  dream  ? 

"  Ah  !  que  barbara  !  pobrecito — iio — ito  .'"  (Ah  !  what  a  barbarian  yoii 
are  !  poor  little  thing !) 

"  Comeremos.^^     (We  will  eat  it.) 

"  Por  dios  !  no  !  echalo,  Lttz,  o  tirare  la  agua  en  sus  ojos  cle  F."  (Good- 
ness !  no  !  "fling  it  in,  Luz,  or  I  will  throw  water  in  your  eyes.)  And  the 
speaker  stooped,  as  if  to  execute  the  threat. 

"  Ya — no."     (Now  I  will  not.)  said  Luz,  resolutely. 

"  Guarda  te .'"     (Look  out.) 


(58  THE    RIFLE    RANGKRS. 

The  brunette  placed  her  little  hands  close  together,  terming  with  their  uni- 
ted palms  a  concave  surface,  and  commenced  dashing  water  upon  the  perverse 
blonde. 

The  latter  instantly  dropped  the  goldfish,  and  retaliated. 

An  exciting  and  animated  contest  ensued.  The  bright  globules  flew  around 
their  heads,  and  rolled  down  their  glistening  tresses,  as  from  the  pinions  of  a 
swan ;  while  their  clear  laughter  rang  out  at  intervals,  as  one  or  the  other 
a2)peared  victorious. 

A  hoarse  voice  drew  my  attention  from  this  interesting  spectacle.  Looking 
whence  it  came,  my  eye  rested  upon  a  huge  negress,  stretched  under  a  cocoa- 
tree,  who  had  raised  herself  on  one  arm,  and  was  laughing  at  the  contest. 

It  was  her  voice,  then,  I  had  mistaken  for  that  of  a  man  ! 

Becoming  sensible  of  my  intrusive  position,  I  turned  to  retreat,  when  a 
shrill  cry  reached  me  from  the  pond. 

The  swauvj,  with  a  frightened  energy,  shrieked  and  flapped  over  the  surface—* 
the  goldfish  shot  to  and  fro^  like  sunbeams,  and  leaped  out  of  the  water  quiv 
ering  and  terrified — and  the  birds  on  all  sides  screamed  and  chattered. 

I  sprang  forward  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  this  strange  coinuiotion.  My 
eye  fell  upon  the  negress,  who  had  risen,  and  running  out  upon  the  parapet 
with  uplifted  arms,  shouted  in  terrified  accents  : 

"  Valga-me  dios — nifias  ?    El  cayman  !  el  cayman  .'" 

I  looked  across  to  the  other  side  of  the  pond.  A  fearful  object  met  my  eyes— 
the  cayman  of  Mexico !  The  hideous  monster  was  slowly  crawling  over  the 
'ow  wall,  dragging  his  lengthened  body  from  a  bed  of  aquatic  plants. 

Already  his  short  fore-arms,  squammy  and  corrugated,  rested  upon  the 
mner  edge  of  the  parapet — his  shoulders  projecting  as  if  in  the  act  to  spring ! 
His  scale-covered  back,  with  its  long  serrated  ridge,  glittered  with  a  slippery 
moistness ;  and  his  eyes,  usually  dull,  gleamed  fierce  and  lurid  from  their  pro- 
minent sockets, 

I  had  brought  with  me  a  light  rifle.  It  was  but  the  work  of  a  moment  to 
unsling  and  level  it.  The  sharp  crack  followed,  and  the  ball  impinged  harm- 
lessly between  the  monster's  eyes,  glancing  from  its  hard  skull  as  though  it 
had  been  a  plate  of  steel.  The  shot  was  an  idle  one — perhaps  worse — for, 
stung  to  madness  with  the  stunning  shock,  the  reptile  spi-ang  far  out  into  tho 
water,  and  made  directly  for  his  victims. 

The  girls,  who  had  long  since  given  over  their  mirthful  contest,  seemed  to 
have  lost  all  presence  of  mind,  and,  instead  of  making  for  the  bank,  stood 
locked  in  each  other's  arms,  terrified  and  trembling. 


THE    KII'LK    KANGEKS.  C9 

Their  symmetrical  forms  fell  into  an  agoniaed  embrace,  and  their  roundol 
arms,  olive  and  roseate,  laced  each  other,  and  twined  across  their  quivering 
bodies. 

Their  faces  were  turned  to  Haven,  as  though  they  expected  succor  from 
above— a  group  that  rivalled  the  Laocoon !  With  a  spnng  I  cleared  the  para- 
pet, and  drawing  my  sword,  dashed  madly  across  the  basin. 

The  girls  were  near  the  centre ;  but  the  cayman  had  got  the  start  of  me^ 
and  the  water,  three  feet  deep,  impeded  my  progress.  The  bottom  of  the  tank, 
too,  was  slippery,  and  I  fell  once  or  twice  on  my  hands,  I  rose  again,  and 
with  frantic  energy  plunged  forward— all  the  while  calling  upon  the  bathers 
to  make  for  the  parapet. 

Notwithstanding  my  shouts,  the  terrified  girls  made  no  effort  to  save  them- 
selves.    They  were  incapable  from  terror. 

On  came  the  cayman  with  the  velocity  of  vengeance.  It  was  a  fearful  mo- 
ment. Already,  at  the  distance  of  less  than  six  paces  from  his  prey,  his  long 
snout  projected  from  the  water,  his  gaunt  jaws  displaying  their  quadruple 
rows  of  sharp  glistening  teeth. 

I  shouted  despairingly.  I  was  baffled  by  the  deep  water.  I  had  nearly 
twice  the  distance  before  I  could  interpose  myself  between  the  monster  and 
his  victims. 

"  I  shall  be  too  late  ?" 

Suddenly  I  saw  that  the  cayman  had  swerved.  In  his  eagerness  he  liad 
struck  a  subaqueous  pipe  of  the  jet ! 

It  delayed  him  only  a  moment,  but  in  that  moment  I  had  passed  the  statue- 
like group,  and  stood  ready  to  receive  his  attack. 

'•  A  la  onlla—a  la  orUla .'"  To  the  bank,  to  the  bank!]  I  shouted,  pushing 
the  terrified  girls  with  one  hand,  while  with  the  othei  I  held  my  sword  at 
arm's  length  in  the  face  of  the  advancing  reptile. 

The  girls  now,  for  the  first  time,  awaking  from  their  letiiargy  of  terror, 
fished  toward  the  bank. 

On  came  the  monster,  gnashing  his  teeth  in  the  fury  of  disappointment,  aud 
uttering  fearful  human-like  cries. 

As  soon  as  he  had  got  within  reach,  I  aimed  a  blow  at  his  head  ;  but  the 
light  sabre  glinted  from  the  fleshless  skull  with  the  ringing  of  steel  to  steel. 

The  blow,  however,  turned  him  out  of  his  course,  and,  missing  his  aim,  he 
passed  me  like  an  arrow.  I  looked  around  with  a  feeling  of  despair.  "  Thank 
Ueaven,  they  are  safe  !" 

I  felt  the  clammy  scales  rub  against  my  thigh  ;  and  I  leaped  aside  to  avoid 
the  stroke  of  his  tail,  as  it  lashed  the  water  into  foam. 


70  THE    EIFLK    RANGERS. 

Again  the  monster  turned,  and  came  on  as  before. 

This  time  I  did  not  attempt  to  cut,  but  thrust  the  sabre  directly  for  his 
throat. 

The  cold  blade  snapped  between  his  teeth,  like  an  icicle ! 

Not  above  twelve  inches  remained  with  the  hilt ;  and  with  this  I  hacked 
and  fought  with  the  energy  of  despair 

My  situation  had  now  grown  critical  indeed.  The  girls  had  reached  the 
bank,  and  stood  screaming  upon  the  parapet. 

At  length,  the  elder  seized  upon  a  pole,  and,  lifting  it  wiih  all  her  might, 
leaped  back  into  the  basin,  and  was  hastening  to  my  rescue,  when  a  stream 
of  fire  was  poured  through  the  leaves  of  the  plantains — a  sharp  crack — the 
short  humming  whiz  of  a  bullet ;  and  a  large  form,  followed  by  half  a  dozen 
others,  emerged  from  the  grove,  and,  rushing  over  the  wall,  plunged  into 
the  pond. 

A  loud  plashing  in  the  water — the  shouts  of  men — the  clashing  of  bayo- 
nets— and  the  reptile  rolled  over,  pierced  by  a  dozen  wounds ! 


CHAPTER    XII. 

DON    COSME    ROSALES. 

"Yer  safe,  Cap'n."  It  was  Lincoln's  voice.  Around  me  stood  a  dozen 
of  the  men,  up  to  their  waists.  Little  Jack,  too,  (his  head  and  forage  cap 
just  appearing  over  the  surface  of  the  water)  stood  with  his  eighteen  inches 
of  steel  buried  in  the  carcass  of  the  dead  reptile  !  I  could  not  help  smiling  at 
the  ludicrous  picture. 

''  Yes,  safe,"  answered  I,  panting  for  breath,  "  safe — you  came  in  good  time 
though." 

"  We  heern  yer  shot,  Cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  "  an  we  guessed  yer  didn't  shoo: 
'ithout  a  somethin  ter  shoot  for  ;  so  I  tuk  a  half  a  dozen  files,  and  kim  up." 

•  Yon  acted  right,  Sergeant ;  but  where —  ?" 

I  was  looking  toward  the  edge  of  the  tank,  whore  I  had  lar^^t  seen  the  girls 
They  had  disappeared. 

"  If  yez  mane  the  faymales,  answered  Chane,  "  they're  zanwsed  through 
the  threes.  Be  Saint  Patrick,  the  black  one's  a  thrurap,  any  how  !  She  looka 
for  all  the  world  like  them  bewtiful  crayoles  of  Dimmerary." 

Saying  this,  he  turned  suddenly  round,  and  commenced  driving  his  bayonet 
furiously  into  the  dead  cayman,  exclaiming  between  the  thrusts. 

"  Och  !  ye  divil !  bad  luck  to  yer  ugly  carcase !  You're  a  nate  looking 
baste,  to  interfere  with  a  pair  of  illigent  craythers  !  By  the  crass  !  he's  all 
shill,  boys  I     Oh  !  mother  o'  Moses,  I  can't  find  a  saft  spot  in  him  !" 

"We  climbed  out  upon  the  parapet,  and  the  soldiers  commenced  wiping  their 
wet  guns, 

Clayley  appeared  at  this  moment,  filing  round  the  pond,  at  the  head  of  tbo 
detachment. 


72  THK    R1F1.I-.    KANGKR8. 

As  I  explnined  the  adventure  to  the  lieutenant,  he  laughed  heartfly. 

"  By  Jove  !  it  will  never  do  for  a  despatch  !"  said  he ;  "  one  killed  on  the 
side  of  the  enemy,  and  on  ours  not  a  wound.  There  is  one,  however,  who 
may  be  reported  '  badly  scared.' " 

"  Who  V  I  asked. 

"  Why,  who  but  the  bold  Blossom  !" 

"  But  where  is  he  ?" 

"  Heaven  only  knows  !  The  last  I  saw  of  him,  he  was  screening  himself 
behind  an  old  ruin.  I  wouldn't  think  it  strange  if  he  was  off  to  camp, — that 
is,  if  he  believes  he  can  find  his  way  back  again  !" 

As  Clayley  said  this,  he  burst  into  a  loud  yell  of  laughter. 

It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  restrain  mvsclf,  for,  looking  in  the  same  di- 
rection indicated  by  the  lieutenant,  I  saw  a  bright  object,  which  I  at  once  re- 
cognised as  the  Major's  f:xce. 

He  had  drawn  aside  the  broad  plantain-leaves,  and  was  peering  cautiously 
through,  with  a  look  of  the  most  ludicrous  terror.  His  face  only  was  visible, 
round  and  luminous,  like  the  full  moon ;  and  like  her,  too,  variegated  with 
light  and  shade, — for  fear  had  produced  spots  of  white  and  purple  over  the 
surface  of  his  capacious  cheeks. 

As  soon  as  the  Major  saw  how  the  '•  land  lay,"  he  came  blowing  and  blus- 
tering through  the  bushes  like  an  elephant ;  and  it  now  became  apparent  that 
he  carried  his  long  sabre  drawn  and  flourishing  ! 

"  Bad  luck  after  all  !"  said  he,  as  he  marched  round  the  pond  with  a  bold 
stride ;  "  that's  all  ?  Bah  !  in  hopes  we'd  have  a  brush  with  the  yellow 
fellows." 

"  No,  Major,"  said  I,  trying  to  look  serious ;  "  we  arc  not  so  fortunate." 

"  I  have  no  doubt,  however,"  said  Clayley,  with  a  malicious  wink,  "  but 
that  we'll  have  them  here  in  a  squirrel's  jump.  They  must  have  heard  the 
report  of  our  guns." 

A  complete  change  became  visible  in  the  major's  bearing.  The  point  of  his 
sabre  dropped  slowly  to  the  ground,  and  the  blue  and  white  spots  began  to 
array  themselves  afresh  on  his  huge  red  cheeks. 

"  Don't  you  think,  captain,"  said  he,  "  we've  gone  far  enough  into  the  curs'd 
country?  There's  no  mules  in  it. — I  can  certify  there's  not — not  a  single 
mule." 

Before  I  could  reply,  an  object  appeared  that  drew  our  attention,  and  height 
cned  the  mosaic  upon  the  Major's  checks. 

A  man  strangely  attired,  was  .scon  running  down  the  .slope  tosvardsthc  spot 
where  we  were  .standing. 


TIIK    KIFMi    UAJ^GKKS.  12) 

lecting  in  a  corner,  stoou  cow.urea  up  and  quivering.     A  fierce  yell  announce<l 
the  exultation  of  the  guerilleros. 

Dubrosc  was  sitting  on  his  powerful  mustang,  facing  the  corral,  and  watch- 
ing the  effects  of  the  shot. 

"  If  he  wur  only  'ithin  range  ev  my  own  lead,"  muttered  Lincoln,  as  In- 
glanced  along  the  sights. 

The  crack  sbon  followed — the  black  horse  reared,  staggered,  and  fell  bark 
on  his  rider ! 

"  Ten  strike  !  set  'em  up  !"  exclaimed  a  soldier. 

"Missed  the  skunk — curse  him,"  cried  Lincoln,  gritting  his  teeth,  as  tli- 
horseman  was  seen  to  struggle  from  under  the  fallen  animal.  Rising  to  hi 
feet,  Dubrosc  sprang  out  to  the  front,  and  shook  his  fist  in  the  air,  with  u 
shout  of  defiance. 

The  guerilleros  galloped  back ;  and  the  artillerists,  wheeling  the  six-pounder 
dragged  it  after,  and  took  up  a  new  position,  about  three  hundred  yard: 
farther  to  the  rear. 

A  second  shot  from  the  piece  again  tore  through  the  pickets,  striking  on? 
©f  our  men,  and  killing  him  instantly. 

'Aim  at  the  artillerists,  Sergeant.  We  have  nothing  to  fear  from  tht 
others.'' 

Lincoln  fired  again.  The  shot  hit  the  ground  in  front  of  the  enemy's  gun  . 
but  glancing,  it  strirck  one  of  the  cannoniers,  apparently  wounding  him  badl^-. 
as  he  was  carried  back  by  his  comrades. 

The  Mexicans,  terror-struck  at  this  strange  instrument  of  destruction,  took 
up  a  new  position,  two  hundred  yards  still  farther  back.  Their  third  shot 
ricochetted,  striking  the  top  of  the  strong  plank,  behind  which  the  Major 
was  screening  himself,  and  only  frightening  the  latter  by  the  shock  upon  the 
timber. 

Lincoln  again  fired.  This  time  his  shot  produced  no  visible  effect ;  and  a 
taunting  cheer  from  the  enemy  told  that  they  felt  themselves  bej^ond  range. 

Another  shot  was  fired  from  the  rifle,  apparently  with  a  similar  result. 

"  rt's  beyond  her  carry,  Cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  bringing  the  butt  of  his  piece 
to  the  ground,  with  an  expression  of  reluctant  conviction. 

"  Try  one  more  shot.  If  it  fail,  we  willl  reserve  the  others  for  closer  work. 
Aim  high  !" 

This  resulted  as  the  two  preceding  ones  ;  and  a  voice  from  the  guerillero.^ 
was  heard,  exclaiming : 

"  Yankes  hobos  !  mas  addantc .'"  (A  little  farther,  you  Yankee  fools.") 


122  THE    KIFLK    KANGER8. 

Another  shot  from  the  six-pounder  cracked  through  the  planks,  knocking 
his  piece  from  the  hands  of  a  soldier,  and  shivering  the  dry  stock-wood  into 
fifty  fragments. 

"  Sergeant,  give  me  the  rifle,"  said  I.  '  They  must  be  a  thousand  yards  off; 
but,  as  they  are  as  troublesome  vrith  that  carronade,  as  if  they  were  only  ten. 
r  will  try  one  more  shot." 

I  fired,  but  the  ball  sank  at  least  fifty  paces  in  front  of  the  enemy. 

"  We '  expect  too  much.  It  is  not  a  twenty-four  pounder.  Major,  I  envy 
you  two  things — your  rifle  and  your  horse." 

"  Hercules  ?'' 

"Of  course." 

"  Lord,  Captain,  you  may  do  what  you  will  with  the  rifle ;  and,  if  ever  we 
get  out  of  the  reach  of  these  infernal  devils,  Ilercules  shall  be — 

At  this  moment,  a  cheer  came  from  the  guerilleros,  and  a  voice  was  hcani 
shouting  above  the  din  : 

"  La  metralla  !  la  metralla  .'"    The  howitzer !) 

I  leaped  upon  the  roof,  and  looked  out  upon  the  plain.  It  was  true.  A 
howitzer-carriage,  drawn  by  mules,  was  debouching  from  the  woods,  the  ani- 
mals dragging  it  along  at  a  gallop. 

It  was  evidently  a  piece  of  some  size,  large  enough  to  tear  the  light  pick- 
eting to  pieces. 

I  turned  towards  my  men  with  a  look  of  despair.  jNIy  eye  at  this  moment 
rested  on  the  drove  of  mules  that  stood  crowded  together  in  a  corner  of  the 
pen.  A  sudden  thought  struck  me.  Might  we  not  mount  them  and  escape  1 
There  were  more  than  enough  to  carry  us  all,  and  the  ranche  was  filled  with 
bridles  and  lariats.  I  instantly  leaped  from  the  roof,  and  gave  the  order  to 
the  men. 

"  Speedily,  but  without  noise,"  cried  I,  as  the  men  proceeded  to  fling  bridles 
upon  the  necks  of  the  animals. 

In  five  minutes  each  soldier,  with  his  rifle  slung,  stood  by  a  mule,  some  of 
them  having  buckled  on  tapadas*  to  prevent  the  animals  from  kicking. 

The  Major  stood  ready  by  his  horse. 

"  Now,  my  brave  fellows,''  shouted  I  in  a  loud  voice,  '•  wo  must  take  it  cav- 
tilry  fashion — Mexican  cavalry,  I  mean."  The  men  laughed.  '•  Once  in  the 
woods,  we  will  retreat  no  farther.     At  the  words  ^  mount  andfclloic,^  spring 

*  The  tapada  is  a  blind  of  leather,  that  covers  the  whole  face  of  a  mule.  It  is  used  to 
.ame  them,  and  prevent  their  kicking  when  being  loaded.  With  hw  tapada  over  hk 
head,  the  most  vicious  macho  becomes  quite  gentle. 


TllK  RIKLK  kan(;t:rs.  123 

to  your  seats  and  follow  Mr.  Claj'Iey.  I  will  look  to  your  rear — Jont't  stop 
to  fire — hold  on  well.  If  any  one  fall,  let  his  nearest  comrade  take  him  up. 
Ha !  any  one  hurt  there  ?  A  shot  had  whistled  through  the  ranks.  "  Only 
a  scratch,"  was  the  reply. 

"  All  ready,  then,  are  you  ?  Now,  Mr.  Clayley,  you  see  the  high  timber — 
make  direct  for  it.     Down  with  the  bars !     '  Mount  and  fellow  !' " 

As  I  uttered  the  last  words,  the  men  leaped  to  their  seats ;  and  Clayley, 
riding  the  bell-mule,  dashed  out  of  the  corral,  followed  by  the  whole  train, 
some  of  them  plunging  and  kicking,  but  all  gallopping  forward  at  the  sound 
of  the  bell  upon  their  guide. 

As  the  dark  cavalcade  rushed  out  upon  the  prairie,  a  wild  cry  from  the 
guerilleros  told  that  this  was  the  first  intimation  they  had  had  of  the  singular 
ruse.  They  sprung  to  their  saddles  with  yells,  and  gallopped  in  pursuit.  The 
howitzer,  that  had  been  trailed  upon  the  corral,  was  suddenly  wheeled  about, 
and  fired ;  but  the  shot,  ill-directed  in  their  haste,  whistled  harmlessly  over 
our  heads. 

The  guerilleros,  on  their  swift  steeds,  soon  lessened  the  distance  between  us. 

With  a  dozen  of  the  best  men  I  hung  in  the  rear,  to  give  the  foremost  of 
the  pursuers  a  volley,  or  pick  up  any  seldier  who  might  be  tossed  from  his 
mule.  One  of  these,  at  intervals,  kicked  as  only  a  Mexican  mule  can ;  and, 
when  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  timber,  his  rider,  an  Irishman,  was 
flung  upon  the  prairie. 

The  rearmost  of  our  party  stopped  to  take  him  up.  lie  was  seized  by 
Chane,  who  mounted  him  in  front  of  himself.  The  delay  had  nearly  been 
fatal.  The  pursuers  were  already  within  a  hundred  yards,  firing  their  pistols 
and  escopettes,  without  effect.  A  number  of  the  men  turned  in  their  seats 
and  blazed  back.  Others  threw  their  rifles  over  their  shoulders,  and  pulled 
tiigger  at  random.  I  could  perceive  that  two  or  three  guerilleros  dropped 
from  their  saddles.  Their  comrades,  with  shouts  of  vengeance,  closed  upon 
us  nearer  and  nearer.  The  long  lariats,  far  in  advance,  whistled  around  our 
heads. 

I  felt  the  slippery  noose  light  upon  my  shoulders.  I  flung  out  my  arms  to 
throw  it  off,  but,  with  a  sudden  jerk',  it  tightened  around  my  neck.  I  clutched 
the  hard  thong,  and  pulled  with  all  my  might.  It  was  all  in  vain.  The 
animal  I  rode,  freed  from  my  manege,  seemed  to  plunge  under  me,  and  gather 


124  THE   KIFLE    RANGERS. 

ap  its  back  with  a  vicious  determination ;  and  I  was  launched  m  the  air,  and 
dashed  to  the  earth  with  a  stunning  violence. 

I  felt  myself  dragged  along  the  gravelly  ground.  I  grasped  the  weeds,  but 
they  came  away  in  my  hands,  torn  up  by  the  roots.  There  was  a  struggle 
above  and  around  me.    I  could  hear  loud  shouts,  and  the  firing  of  guns. 

T  was  choking. 

A  bright  object  glistened  before  my  eyes.  I  felt  myself  seized  by  a  strong 
roug'h  hand,  and  swung  into  the  air,  and  rudely  shaken,  as  if  in  the  grasp  of 
some  giant's  arm. 

Something  twitched  me  sharply  over  the  cheeks.  I  heard  the  rustling  of 
trees.  Branches  snapped  and  crackled,  and  leaves  swept  across  my  face. 
Then  came  the  flash — flash — and  the  crack — crack — crack — of  a  dozen  rifles, 
and,  under  their  blazing  light,  I  was  dashed  a  second  time  with  violence  to 
the  earth ! 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

THE   RESCUE. 

"  Rough  handlin'  Cap'n.    Yer  must  excuse  haste." 

It  was  the  voice  of  Lincoln. 

"  Ha  !  in  the  timber  ?    Safe,  then !"  ejaculated  I,  in  return. 

"  Two  or  three  wounded — not  bad  neither.  Chane  has  got  a  stab  m  the 
hip — he  gin  the  feller  goss.  Let  me  louze  the  darned  thing  off  your  neck.  It 
kum  migjjty  near  chokin'  yer,  Cap'n," 

Bob  proceeded  to  unwind  the  noose  end  of  a  lariat,  that,  with  some  six  feet 
of  a  rawhide  thong,  was  still  tightly  fastened  around  my  neck. 

"  But  who  cut  the  rope  ?"  demanded  I. 
'     "  I  did,  with  this  yere  tooth-pick.    Yer  see,  Cap'n,  it  warn't  yer  time  to  be 
hnng  jest  yet." 

I  could  not  help  smiling,  as  I  thanked  the  hunter  for  my  safety. 

•*  But  where  are  the  guerilleros  ?"  asked  I,  looking  around,  my  brain  some- 
what confused. 

"  Yander  they  are,  keeping  safe  out  'o  range  of  this  yere  long  gun'— just 
listen  to  'em — what  a  hiller-balloo  !" 

The  Mexican  horsemen  were  galloping  out  on  the  prairie,  their  arms  glist- 
ning  under  the  clear  moonlight. 

"  Take  to  the  trees,  men  !"  cried  I,  seeing  that  the  enemy  had  agam  unlim- 
bered,  and  were  preparing  to  discharge  their  howitzer. 

In  a  moment  the  iron  shower  came  whizzing  through  the  branches,  with- 
out doing  any  injury,  as  each  of  the  men  had  covered  his  body  with  a  tree. 
Several  of  the  mules  that  stood  tied  and  trembling,  were  kille<l  by  the  dis- 
charge. 

Another  shower  hurtled  through  the  bushes  with  a  similar  effect. 

I  was  thinking  of  retreating  further  into  the  timber,  and  was  walking  bacK 
to  reconnoitre  the  ground,  when  my  eye  fell  upon  an  object  that  arrested  my 


126  TIIK    IMKIJ';    RANGERS. 

attention.  It  was  the  body  of  a  very  large  man,  lying  flat  upon  his  face,  his 
head  buried  among  the  roots  of  a  cork-tree.  The  arms  were  stiffly  pressed 
against  his  sides,  and  the  legs  projected  at  full  stretch,  exhibiting  an  appear- 
ance of  motionless  rigidity,  as  though  a  well-dressed  corpse  had  been  rolled 
over  on  its  face.  I  at  once  recognised  it  as  the  body  of  the  INIajor,  whom  I 
s-apposed  to  have  fallen  dead  where  he  lay. 

"  Good  heavens  !   Clayley,  look  here  !"  caied  1,  "  poor  Blossom's  killed  !" 

"  No,  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  am,"  growled  the  latter,  screwing  his  neck  round 
like  a  lizard,  and  looking  up  without  changing  the  attitude  of  his  body.  Clay- 
ley  was  convulsed  with  laughter.  The  Major  sheathed  his  head  again,  as  he 
knew  that  another  shot  from  the  howitzer  might  soon  be  expected. 

"  Major,"  cried  Clayley,  "  that  right  shoulder  of  yours  projects  over  at  least 
six  inches." 

"  I  know  it,"  answered  the  Major,  in  a  frightened  voice ;  "  curse  the  tree ; 
it's  hardly  big  enough  to  cover  a  squirrel ;"  and  he  squatted  closer  to  the 
earth,  pressing  his  arms  tighter  against  his  sides.  His  whole  attitude  was  so 
ludicrous,  that  Clayley  burst  into  a  second  yell  of  laughter.  At  this  moment 
a  wild  shout  was  heard  from  the  guerilleros. 

"  What  next  ?"  cried  I,  running  toward  the  front,  and  looking  out  upon  the 
prairie. 

"  Them  wild  cats  are  gwine  to  clar  out,  Cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  meeting  me 
"  I  kin  see  them  hitohin'  up." 

"  It  is  as  you  sa}-  !     What  can  be  the  reason  V 

A  strange  commotion  was  visible  in  the  groups  of  horsemen.  Scouts  were 
gallopping  across  th-'  plain  to  a  point  of  the  woods  about  half  a  mile  distant, 
and  I  could  see  the  ai  lillerists  fastening  their  mules  to  the  howitzer-carriage. 
Suddenly,  a  bugle  ran,L:  out,  sounding  the  recal,  and  the  guerilleros,  with  wild 
yells  galloppcd  off  towaids  Medellin  ! 

A  loud  cheer,  such  as  was  never  uttered  by  Mexican  throats,  came  from  the 
opposite  edge  of  the  prairie ;  and,  looking  in  that  direction,  I  beheled  a  long 
line  of  dark  forms  debouching  from  the  woods  at  a  gallop.  Their  sparkling 
blades,  as  they  issued  from  the  dark  forest,  glistened  like  a  cordon  of  fire-flies ; 
and  I  recognised  the  heavy  foot-fall  of  the  American  horse.  A  cheer  from  my 
men  attracted  their  attention ;  and  the  leader  of  the  dragoons,  seeing  that  the 
guerilleros  had  got  far  out  of  reach,  wheeled  his  column  to  the  right,  and  came 
gallopping  down. 

"  Is  that  Colonel  Rawley  ?"  inquired  I,  recognising  a  dragoon  officer 


TIIK    KIFI,K    UANOERS.  127 

''  Why,  bless  m^  soul !"  exclaimed  he,  "  how  did  you  get  out  ?  "We  heard 
yju  were  jugged.     AllaliTeyet?" 

"  We  have  lost  two,"  I  replied. 

"  Pah !  that's  nothing.  I  came  out  expecting  to  bury  the  whole  kit  of  you. 
Here's  Clayley,  too.  Clayley,  your  friend  Twing's  with  us ;  youll  find  him 
in  the  rear." 

"  Ila !  Clayley,  old  boy,"  cried  Twing,  coming  up,  "  no  bones  broke ;  all 
right.  Take  a  pull ;  do  you  good — don't  drink  it  all,  though — leave  a  thimble- 
ful for  Haller,  there.     How  do  you  like  that  ?'" 

"  Delicious,  by  Jove !"  ejaculated  Clayley,  tugging  away  at  the  Major's  flask, 

'  Come,  Captaifi,  try  it.'. 
Thank  you." 

'  But  where  is  old  Bios ;  killed,  wounded,  or  missing  ?" 

"  I  believe  the  Major  is  not  far  off,  and  still  uninjured." 

I  despatched  a  man  for  the  Major,  who  presently  came  up  blow  ing  and 
Bwearing  like  a  Flander's  trooper. 

"  Hillea,  Bios !"  shouted  Twing,  grasping  him  by  the  hand. 

"  Why,  bless  me,  Twing,  I'm  glad  to  see  you,"  answered  Blossom,  throw- 
ing his  arms  around  the  diminutive  Major.  "  But  where  on  earth  is  your 
pewter  ?"  for  during  the  embrace  he  had  groped  all  over  Twing's  body  for  the 
flask. 

"  Here,  Cudgo  !  that  flask  boy." 

"  Faith,  Twing,  I'm  near  choked ;  we've  been  fighting  all  day — a  devil  of  a 
fight.  I  chased  a  whole  squad  of  the  cursed  scoundrels  on  Hercules,  and  came 
within  a  squirrel's  jump  of  riding  right  into  their  nest.  We've  killed  dozens; 
but  Haller  will  tell  you  all.  He's  a  good  fellow,  that  Haller,  but  he's  too 
rash — rash  as  blazes.  Hilloa,  Hercules !  glad  to  see  you  again,  old  fellow ; 
you  had  a  sharp  brush  for  it." 

"  Eemember  your  promise.  Major,"  said  I,  as  the  Major  stood  patting  Her- 
cules upon  the  shoulder. 

"  I'll  do  better.  Captain.  I'll  give  you  a  choice  between  Hercules  and  a 
splendid  black  I  have.  Faith  !  it's  hard  to  part  with  you.  old  Ilerky,  but  I 
know  the  Captain  will  like  the  black  better  ;  he's  the  handsomest  horse  in  the 
whole  army — bought  him  from  poor  Ridgely,  who  was  killed  at  Monterey." 

This  speech  of  tha  Major's  was  delivered  partly  in  soliloquy,  partlv  in  an 
apostrophe  to  Hercules,  and  partly  to  mj^self. 

"  Very  well,  Major,"  I  replied.  "  I'll  take  the  black.  Mr.  Clayley,  mount 
the  men  on  their  mules, — you  will  take  command  of  the  company,  and  proceed 
with  Colonel  Rawlej-  to  camp.     I  shall  go  myself  for  the  Don." 


128  ''"''■■    li'FT.K    KANGKRS. 

The  last  was  said  in  a  whisper  to  Clayley. 

"  We  may  not  get  in  before  noon  to-morrow.  Say  nothing  of  my  absence 
60  any  one.    I  will  make  my  report  at  noon  to-morrow. 

"  And  Captain "  said  Clayley. 

"  Well  Clayley  ?'' 

"  You  will  carry  back  my " 

«  What  1    To  which,  friend  r 

«  To  Mary,  of  the  Light." 

"  Oh !  certainly  !" 

"  In  your  best  Spanish." 

"  Rest  assured,"  said  I,  smiling  at  the  earnestness  of  my  friend. 

I  was  about  moving  from  the  spot,  when  the  thought  occurred  to  me  to 
■end  the  company  to  camp,  under  command  of  Oakes  and  take  Clayley  along 
^ith  me. 

"  Clayley,  by  the  way,"  said  I  calling  the  Lieutenant  back ;  "  I  don't  see 
why  you  may  not  carry  your  compliments  in  person.  Oakes  can  take  th« 
men  back.    I  will  borrow  half-a-dozen  dragoons  from  Rawley." 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  replied  Clayley. 

"  Come  then,  get  a  horse,  and  let  us  be  off." 

Taking  Lincoln  and  Raoul,  with  half-a-dozen  of  Rawlcy's  dragoons,  I  bado 
my  friends  "  good  night." 

These  started  for  camp  by  the  road  of  Mata  Cordera,  while  I,  with  my  little 
party  brushed  for  some  distance  round  the  border  of  the  prairie,  and  climbed 
the  hill,  over  which  lay  the  path  to  the  house  of  the  Spaniard. 

As  I  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge,  I  turned  to  look  upon  the  scene  of  our 
late  skirmish. 

The  cold  round  moon,  looking  down  upon  the  prairie  of  la  Virgen,  saw  none 
of  the  victims  of  the  fight. 

The  Jarochos,  in  their  retreat  had  carried  off  their  dead  and  wounded  com- 
rades ;  and  the  Americans  slept  under  ground,  in  the  lone  corral ;  but  I  could 
not  help  fancying  that  gaunt  wolves  were  skulking  round  the  enclosure,  and 
that  the  claws  of  the  coyote  were  already  tearing  up  the  red  earth  that  had 
been  hurriedly  heaped  over  their  graves  ! 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

THE    COCUYO. 

A  NIGHT  ride  through  the  golden  tropical  forest,  when  the  moon  is  bathing 
its  broad  and  wax-like  frondage — when  the  winds  are  hushed,  and  the  long 
leaves  hang  drooping  and  silent — when  the  path  conducts  through  dark  aisles 
and  arbors  of  green  vine  leaves,  and  out  again  into  bright  and  flowery  glades 
— is  one  of  those  luxuries  that  I  wish  we  could  obtain  without  going  beyond 
the  limits  of  our  own  land. 

But,  no.  The  romance  of  .our  northern  forest — the  romance  that  lingers 
around  the  guarled  limbs  of  the  oak,  and  the  nMtpIe,  and  the  elm — that  sighs 
with  the  wintry  wind  high  up  among  the  twigs  of  the  shining  sycamore — that 
flits  along  the  huge  fallen  trunks — that  nestles  in  the  brown  and  rustling 
leaves — that  hovers  above  the  bold  cliff,  and  sleeps  upon  the  grey  rock — that 
sparkles  in  the  diamond  stalactites  of  the  forest,  or  glides  along  the  bosom  of 
the  cold  black  river — is  a  feeling  or  a  fancy  of  a  f:ir  different  character. 

These  objects — themselves  the  emblems  of  the  stony  and  iron  things  of 
nature — call  up  associations  of  the  darker  passions  :  strange  scenes  of  strife 
and  bloodshed ;  struggles  between  red  and  white  savages — and  struggles 
hardly  less  fierce  with  the  wild  beasts  of  the  forest.  Tihe  rifle,  the  tomahawk 
and  the  knife,  are  the  visions  conjured  up,  while  the  savage  whoop  and  the 
dread  yell,  echo  in  your  ear ;  and  you  dream  of  war. 

Far  different  are  the  thoughts  that  suggest  themselves  as  you  glide  along 
under  the  aromatic  arbors  of  the  southern  forest ;  brushing  aside  the  silken 
foliage,  and  treading  upon  the  shadows  of  picturesque  palms. 

It  was  here  we  first  met  with  the  cocuyo,  the  beautiful  firefly  of  the  trop- 
ics. Its  body  is  about  the  size  of  an  almond,  and  its  eyes  (from  whence  issues 
the  peculiar  light)  rather  smaller  than  swan  shot.     Nothing  can  bo  conceived 


130  THE    RTFLE    RANGERS. 

richer  than  the  color  of  these,  combining  the  three  elements  of  green,  gold,  and 
light.  With  regard  to  their  use  as  a  lamp  to  read  by,  the  mode  hereafter 
described  is  the  correct  one.  But  this  beautiful  insect  fills  a  much  higher 
post  of  honor.  It  is  used  as  an  ornament  for  the  dark  tresses  of  the  "  don- 
cellas"  of  Vera  Cruz,  I  have  seen  a  pair  of  them  pinned  to  their  hair — one 
glancing  over  each  temple — like  sentinels,  watcing  over  the  beauties  that  lay- 
beneath.  No  diamond  can  display  half  the  effulgence  of  these  insect  orna- 
ments. Once  at  a  reunion  in  Jalapa,  I  was  particularly  struck  with  the 
coitFeur  of  a  very  beautiful  lady,  that  fairly  gleamed  with  cocuyos — exhibiting 
a  perfect  constellation  of  them.  I  was  struck  not  less  with  the  cruelty  (as  I 
supposed)  of  thus  wantonly  impaling  the  harmless  little  creatures,  for  the 
gratiiication  of  a  mere  vanity.  During  the  evening,  I  took  occasion  to  hint 
my  sentiments  on  the  subject  to  the  lady  herself,  who  burst  into  a  fit  of 
laughter,  and  whisking  one  of  the  cocuyos  from  her  head,  held  it  before  my 
eyes,  and  slowly  disengaged  the  long,  golden  pin,  upon  which,  as  I  thought, 
the  insect  had  been  impaled.  My  astonishment  equalled  my  delight  on  see- 
ing that  this  pin,  instead  of  piercing  the  animal's  body,  had  merely  passed 
through  a  small  loop  und«r  the  breast,  and  the  only  pain  to  which  the  insect 
was  subjected  by  the  operation,  was  that  of  captivity.  I  could  not  help  think- 
ing that  this  singular  loop  was  a  provision  of  nature  for  this  very  purpose. 
When  laid  aside,  after  being  used  in  this  manner,  the  cocuyos  are  kept  in  a 
small  wicker-basket,  or  cage,  and  fed  upon  flowers  and  chips  of  sugar  cane. 
Cocuyos  are  brought  to  the  market  of  Vera  Cruz  by  the  country  people,  who 
take  them  in  the  chapparal. 

The  cocuyo  lights  your  way  through  the  dark  aisles,  and  the  mglitingalo 
cheers  you  with  his  varied  and  mimic  song.  A  thousand  sights  and  sounds, 
that  seem  to  be  possessed  of  some  mysterious  and  narcotic  power,  lull  you  into 
silence  and  sleep— a  sleep  whose  dream  is  love. 

Clayley  and  I  fdt  this,  as  wo  rode  silently  along.  Even  the  ruder  hearts 
of  our  companions  seemed  touched  by  the  same  influence. 

Wc  entered  the  dark  forest  that  fringed  the  arroyo  ;  and  the  stream  wft8 
crossed  in  silence.     Raoul  rode  in  advance,  acting  as  our  guide. 

After  a  long  silence,  Clayley  suddenly  awoke  from  his  reverie,  and  straight- 
ened himself  up  in  the  saddle. 

"  Wiiattimc  is  it,  Captain'.*"  he  inquired. 

"  Ten— a  few  minutes  prist."  answered  I,  holding  my  watch  under  the 
moonlight. 

"I  wonder  if  the  Don's  in  Led.  vet!" 


THE    KIFI.K    KANGKRS.  131 

Not  likely,  he  will  be  in  distress;  he  expected  us  an  hour  ago" 
True,  he  will  not  sleep  till  we  come  ;  all  right  then." 
How  all  right  then  ?" 

,7or  our  chnnces  of  a  supper  ;  a  cold  pasty,  with  a  glass  of  Barsac.    "What 
tk.   Icyou?" 

'  ii.  do  not  feel  hungry." 

"  jTkut  I  do — as  a  hawk.    I  long  to  sound  the  Don's  larder." 

"  Do  you  not  long  more  to  see — ?" 

"  Not  to-mght — no — that  is  until  after  supper.  Everything  in  its  own  time 
and  place ;  but  a  man  with  a  hungry  stomach,  has  no  stomach  for  anything 
^ut  eating.  I  pledge  you  my  word.  Ilaller,  I  would  rather  at  this  moment 
see  that  giicd  old  stewardess  Pepe,  than  the  loveliest  woman  in  Mexico,  and 
that's  'Maiy  of  the  Light.'" 

"  MonstroJiS ! 

"  That  is,  nviW  after  I  have  supped.  Thei:  my  feelings  will  doubtless  take 
a  turn." 

"  Ah  !  Clayle)-,  you  can  never  love  !" 

•'Why  so,  Captc.iu'?" 

"  With  you,  loTO  is  a  sentiment,  not  a  passion.  You  regard  the  fair  blonclo 
as  you  would  a  picture,  of  a  curious  ornament." 

"  You  mean  to  say,  then,  that  my  love  is  '  all  in  my  eye'  V 

"  Exactly  so,  in  a  literal  eouse.  I  do  not  think  it  has  reached  your  heart, 
else  you  would  not  be  thinking  of  your  supper.  Now,  I  could  go  for  days 
without  food — suffer  any  hardship ! — but — no — you  cannot  understand  this." 

"  I  confess  not.     I  am  too  hungry." 

"  You  could  forget — nay,  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  you  have  already  for- 
gotten all  but  the  fact  that  your  mistress  is  a  blonde,  with  bright  golden  hair. 
Is  it  not  so  ?" 

"  I  confess,  Captain,  that  I  should  make  but  a  poor  portrait  of  her  from 
memory." 

"  And  were  I  a  painter,  I  could  throw  her  features  upon  the  canvass  as  truly 
as  if  they  were  before  me.  I  see  her  face  outlined  upon  these  broad  leaves — 
her  dark  eyes  burning  in  the  flash  of  the  cocuyo — her  long  black  hair  drooping 
from  the  feathery  fringes  of  the  palm — and  her — " 

"  Stop !"  You  are  dreaming.  Captain !  Her  eyes  are  not  dark — her  hair  is 
not  black !" 

"  What !     Her  eyes  not  dark  ? — as  ebony,  or  night !" 

"  Blue  as  a  turquois  !" 


32  THE    KIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Black  .'    What  are  you  thinking  of?" 

"Mary  of  the  Light." 

"Oh,  that  is  quite  a  different  affair  ;"  and  my  friend  and  I  laughed  heartily 
t  our  mutual  misconceptions. 

We  rode  on,  again  relapsing  into  silence.  The  stillness  of  the  night  waa 
roken  only  by  the  heavy  hoof  bounding  back  from  the  hard  turf,  the  jingling 
f  spurs,  or  the  ringing  of  the  iron  scabbard,  as  it  struck  against  the  moving 
ianks  of  our  horses. 

We  had  crossed  the  sandy  spar,  with  its  chapparal  of  cactus  and  mezquite, 
ind  were  entering  a  gorge  of  heavy  timber,  when  the  practised  eye  of  Lincoln 
letected  an  object  in  the  dark  shadow  of  the  woods. 

"  Halt !"  cried  I,  in  a  low  voice. 

The  party  reined  up  at  the  order.  A  rustling  was  beard  in  the  bushes 
• -head. 

"  Quien  viva  ?"  challenged  Raoul,  in  the  advance." 

"  Un  amigo"  was  the  response. 

1  sprang  forward  to  the  side  of  Raoul,  and  called  out, 
'  Acercaie,  ace-cate?^^ — (Come  near.) 

A  figure  moved  out  of  the  bushes,  and  approached. 

^^Esta  el  Capitan 7'^— (Is  it  the  Captain?) 

I  recognised  the  guide  given  me  by  Don  Cosme. 

The  jMexican  approached,  handed  me  a  small  piece  of  paper.  I  rode  into  an 
opening,  and  held  it  up  to  the  moonlight,  but  the  writing  was  in  pencil,  and  I 
ould  not  make  out  a  single  letter. 

"  Try  this,  Clayley.     Perhaps  your  eyes  are  better  than  mine." 

"No,"  said  Clayley,  after  examining  the  paper.  "I  can  hardly  see  the 
vriting  upon  it." 

^^  Esperate,  vii  amo,''^  (Wait,  my  master,)  said  the  guide,  raakmg  me  a 
sign.     We  remained  motionless. 

The  ]\Iexican  took  from  his  head  his  heavy  sombrero,  and  stepped  into  a 
darker  recess  of  the  forest.  After  standing  for  a  moment,  hat  in  hand,  a 
brilliant  object  shot  out  from  the  leaves  of  the  palraa  redonda.  It  was  the 
cocuyo — the  fire-fly  of  the  tropics.  AYith  a  low,  humming  sound,  it  camo 
glistening  along  at  the  height  of  seven  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  Tlio 
mail  sprang  up,  and,  with  a  sweep  of  his  arm,  jerked  it  suddenly  to  the  earth, 
covering  it  with  his  hat,  and,  inverting  his  hand,  caught  the  gleaming  insect, 
and  presented  it  to  me,  with  the  ejaculation* 

"  Va/"  (Now.) 


THE    KIFr.E    RANGERS.  138 

"  No  muerde,"  (It  does  not  bite,)  added  he,  as  he  saw  that  I  hesitated  to 
touch  the  beetle-shaped  insect. 

I  took  the  cocuyo  in  my  hand,  the  green  golden  fire  flashing  from  its  great 
round  eyes.  I  held  it  up  before  the  writing,  but  the  faint  glimmer  was  scarcely 
discernible  upon  the  paper. 

"  Why,  it  would  require  a  dozen  of  these  to  make  sufficient  light  1"  I  said 
to  the  guide. 

"  No,  Senor,  uno  basta — ay/,''  (No,  sir,  one  is  enough — thus — )  and  the 
Mexican,  taking  the  cocuyo  in  his  fingers,  pressed  it  gently  against  the  surface 
of  the  paper.  It  produced  a  brilliant  light,  radiating  over  a  circle  of  several 
inches  in  diameter. 

Every  point  in  the  writing  was  plainly  visible. 

"  See,  Clayley !"  cried  I,  admiring  this  lamp  of  nature's  own  making. 
•'  Never  trust  the  tales  of  travellers.  I  have  heard  that  half  a  dozen  of  these 
insects  in  a  glass  vessel  would  enable  you  to  read  the  smallest  type.  Is  that 
true  ?"  added  I,  repeating  what  I  had  said  in  Spanish. 

''  No,  Senor;  ni  cincuenta,"  (No,  sir;  nor  fifty,)  replied  the  Mexican. 

"  And  yet,  with  a  single  cocuyo,  you  may — but  we  are  forgetting — let  us 
see  what's  here." 

I  bent  my  head  to  the  paper,  and  read  in  Spanish : — 

"  /  have  made  known  your  situation  to  the  American  commander." 

There  was  no  signature  nor  other  mark  upon  the  paper. 

"  From  Don  Cosme  ?"  I  inquired  in  a  whisper  to  the  I\Iexicau. 

"  Yes,  SeSor,"  was  the  reply. 

"  And  how  did  you  expect  to  reach  us  in  the  corral  ?" 

"  yl«,"  (so)  said  the  mau  hoLding  up  a  shaggy  bull's  hide,  which  he  earned 
over  his  arm. 

"  We  have  friends  here,  Clayley.  Come,  my  good  fellow,  take  this !"  and 
I  handed  a  gold  eagle  to  the  peon. 

"  Forward !" 

The  tinkling  of  canteens,  the  jingling  of  sabres,  and  the  echo  of  bounding 
hoofs,  recommenced.  We  were  again  in  motion,  filing  on  through  tho 
shadowy  woods. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

LUPE    AND    LUZ. 

These  are  the  fami'iar  abbreviations  of  Guadalupe  and  Maria  de  la  Luz. 
The  names  themselves  (especially  tke  former)  are  common  in  Mexican  fami- 
lies. Guadalupe  is  the  name  of  the  Saint  Patroness  of  Mexico  ;  and  she  has 
been  daily  honored  at  the  baptismal  font,  scarcely  a  family  in  Mexico  being 
without  its  Guadalupe.  Lupita,  Guadalupita,  are  familiar  forms  of  the  same 
appellation. 

Shortly  after,  we  debouched  from  the  forest,  entering  the  open  fields  of  Don 
Cosme's  plantation.  There  was  a  flowery  brilliance  around  us  full  of  novelty. 
We  had  been  accustomed  to  the  ruder  scenes  of  a  northern  clime.,  The  tropi- 
cal moon  threw  a  gauzy  veil  over  objects  that  softened  their  outlines ;  and  the 
notes  of  the  nightingale  were  the  only  sounds  that  broke  the  stillness  of  what 
seemed  a  sleeping  elysium. 

Once  a  vanilla  plantation — here  and  there  the  aromatic  bean  grew  wild — 
its  ground  usurped  by  the  maguey,  the  acacia,  and  the  thorny  cactus.  The  dry 
reservoir  and  the  ruirred  acequia  proved  the  care  that  had,  in  former  times, 
been  bestowed  on  its  irrigation.  Guarda-rayas  of  palms  and  orange  trees, 
choked  up  with  vines  and  jessamines — marked  the  ancient  boundaries  of  the 
fields.  Clusters  of  fruit  and  flowers  hung  from  the  drooping  branches  ;  and 
the  aroina  of  a  thousand  slirubs  was  wafted  upon  the  night  air.  We  felt  its 
narcotic  influence  as  we  rode  along.  The  helianthus  bowed  its  golden  head.- 
as  if  weeping  at  the  absence  of  its  god;  and  the  cereus  spread  its  snowy  blos- 
som, joying  in  the  more  mellow  light  of  the  moon. 

Having  in  tlie  preceding  paragraph  spoken  of  the  maguc}',  perhaps  our 
readers  would  like  a  more  full  description  of  that  valuable  plant: 


TIIK,    UWn.K    UANOKRS.  135 

The  wild  maguey,  or  aloe,  is  found  all  through  the  woods  of  the  ticrra 
caliente.  From  this  the  mezcal  is  distilled.  Its  root  and  part  of  its  leaves, 
when  roasted  in  a  peculiar  way,  known  to  the  natives,  are  a  delicious  esculent, 
not  unlike  citron  preserve.  It  produces  a  strange  prinkling  upon  the  tongues 
of  those  who  are  not  used  to  it.  The  cactus  grows  in  all  parts  of  Mexico,  and 
in  a  hundred  varieties,  with  as  many  different  names.  A  description  of  the 
different  species  and  their  peculiarities  would  fill  a  volume.  Some  of  them  attain 
the  height  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  and  assume  the  appearance  of  trees  j 
others,  as  the  pitahaya,  shoot  up  in  straight  regular  columns,  lending  a  most 
picturesque  character  to  the  landscape.  The  fruits  of  several  species,  as  th* 
tuna  and  pitahaya,  are  much  Talued,  and  brought  to  market  in  large  quan- 
tities.    We  will  now  resume  the  thread  of  our  story. 

'i'he  guide  pointed  to  one  of  the  guarda-rayas  that  led  to  the  house.  We 
struck  into  it,  and  rode  forward.  The  path  was  pictured  by  the  moonbeams, 
as  they  glanced  through  the  half-shadowing  leaves.  An  antelope  bounded 
away  before  us,  brushing  his  soft  flanks  against  the  rustling  thorns  of  the 
mesquite. 

Farther  on  we  entered  the  grounds,  and,  halting  behind  the  jessamines,  dis- 
mounted.    Clayley  and  myself  entered  the  enclosure. 

As  we  pushed  through  a  copse,  we  were  saluted  by  the  hoarse  bark  of  a 
couple  of  mastifis  ;  and  we  could  perceive  several  forms  moving  in  front  of  the 
ranche.     We  stopped  a  moment  to  observe  them. 

"  Quitate,  Carta  !  Pompo .'"  (Be  off.  Carlo,  Pompo  !)  The  dogs  growled 
fiercely,  barking  at  intervals. 

"  Papa — mandalos  .'"    (Papa — order  them  off.) 

We  recognised  the  voices,  and  pressed  forward. 

"Afuera!  malditos  perros.  abajo  P^  (Out  of  the  way,  wicked  dogs- 
down  !)  shouted  Don  Cosme.  chiding  the  fierce  brutes,  and  driving  them  back. 

The  dogs  were  secured  by  several  domestics,  and  we  advanced. 

"  Quien  es  ?"  inquired  Don  Cosme. 

"  Amigos'''  (friends),  I  replied. 

"  Papa— papa— es  el  Capilan"  (papa,  it  is  the  captain),  cried  one  of  the 
Bisters,  who  had  run  out  in  advance  ;  and  whom  I  recognised  as  the  elder  one. 

"  Do  not  be  alarmed,  Scilorita,"  said  I,  approaching, 

"  Oh  !  you  are  safe— you  are  safe!— papa,  he  is  safe  !"  cried  both  the  girls 
at  once ;  while  Don  Cosme  exhibited  his  joy  by  hugging  my  comrade  and 
myself,  alternately. 

Suddenly  letting  go,  he  threw  up  his  hands,  and  inquired,  with  a  look  of 
inxiety. 


136  TIIK    RIFLK    RANGERS. 

«  Yel  Seflor  gordo  ?"  (and  the  fat  gentleman  ?) 

"  Oh !  he's  all  right,"  replied  Clayley,  with  a  laugh :  "  he  has  saved  his 
bacon,  Don  Cosme ;  though,  I  imagine  about  this  time,  he  wouldn't  object  to 
a  little  of  yours." 

I  translated  my  companion's  answer.  The  latter  part  of  it  seemed  to  act 
upon  Don  Cosme  as  a  hint;  and  we  were  immediately  hurried  to  the  dining- 
room,  where  we  found  the  Dona  Joaquina  preparing  supper. 

During  our  meal,  I  recounted  the  principal  events  of  the  day.  Don  Cosme 
knew  nothing  of  these  guerilleros,  although  he  had  heard  that  there  were 
bands  in  the  neighborhood.  Learning  from  the  guide  that  we  had  been 
attacked,  he  had  dispatched  a  trusty  servant  to  the  American  camp,  and  Raonl 
had  met  the  party  coming  to  our  rescue. 

After  supper,  Don  Cosme  left  us  to  give  some  orders  relative  to  his  depart- 
are  in  the  morning.  His  lady  set  about  preparing  the  sleeping  apartments, 
and  my  companion  and  I  were  left  for  several  hours  in  the  sweet  companion- 
ship of  Lupe  and  Luz. 

Both  were  exquisite  musicians — playing  the  harp  and  guitar  with  equal 
aleverness.  Many  a  pure  Spanish  melody  was  poured  into  the  delighted  ears 
of  my  friend  and  myself.  The  thoughts  that  arose  in  our  minds,  were  4oubt- 
leijs  of  a  similar  kind,  and  yet  how  strange  that  our  hearts  should  have  been 
warmed  to  love  by  beings  so  different  in  character.  The  gay,  free  spirit  of  my 
comrade  seemed  to  have  met  a  responsive  echo.  lie  and  his  brilliant  partner 
laughed,  chatted,  and  sang  in  turns.  In  the  incidents  of  the  moment,  this 
light-hearted  creature  had  forgotten  her  brother,  yet,  the  next  moment,  she 
would  weep  for  him.  A  tender  heart — a  heart  of  joys  and  sorrows — of  ever- 
changing  emotions— coming  and  passing  like  shadows  thrown  by  straggling 
clouds  upon  the  sun-lit  stream  ! 

Unlike  was  our  converse.  More  serious.  "  Wo  may  not  laugh,  lest  we 
should  profane  the  holy  sentiment  that  is  stealing  upon  us.  There  is  no  mirth 
.in  love.  There  are  joj',  pleasure,  luxury;  but  laughter  finds  no  echo  in  the 
heart  that  loves.  Love  is  a  feeling  of  anxiety — of  expectation.  The  harp  is 
set  aside.  The  guitar  lies  untouched  for  a  sweeter  music — the  miisic  that  vi- 
brates from  the  strings  of  tlie  heart.  Are  our  c^'cs  not  held  together  by  some 
invisible  chain  ?  Are  our  souls  not  in  communion  through  some  mysterious 
means  ?  It  is  not  language — at  least  not  the  language  of  words  ;  for  we  are 
conversing  upon  indifferent  things — not  indiHeront,  either.  Narcisso,  Narcisso, 
a  theme  fraternal.     Ilis  peril  casts  a  cloud  over  our  happiness. 

'  Oh  !  that  he  were  here,  then  we  could  be  happy  indeed." 


THE    EIFLE    KANGEUS.  I'dl 

"  lie  will  return ;  fear  not — grieve  not ;  to-morrow  ycur  father  will  easily 
find  him.    I  will  leave  no  means  untried  to  restore  him  to  so  fond  a  sister." 

''  Thanks,  thanks ;  oh  !  we  are  already  indebted  to  you  so  much." 

Are  those  eyes  swimming  with  love  ?  or  gratitude  ?  or  both  at  once  ? 
Surely  gratitude  alone  does  not  speak  so  wildly  ?  Could  this  scene  not  last 
'or  ever  1 

"  Good  night — good  night !" 

"  Senores,  dasan  Vds.  buena  noche  P  (Gentlemen  may  you  pass  a  pleas- 
ant night.) 

They  are  gone ;  and  those  oval  developments  of  face  and  figure  are  floating 
before  me,  as  though  the  body  itself  were  still  present.  It  is  the  soft  memory 
of  love  in  all  its  growing  distinctness ! 

We  were  shown  to  our  sleeping  apartments.  Our  men  picketed  their 
horses  under  the  olives,  and  slept  in  the  bamboo  ranche,  a  single  sentry 
ifalking  his  rounds  during  the  night. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

A   TOUGH    NIGHT    OP   IT   AFTER   ALL. 

I  ENTERED  my  chamber — to  sleep  ?  No.  And  yet  it  contained  a  bed  fit 
for  Morpheus.  A  bed  canopied  and  curtained,  with  clothes  from  the  looms 
of  Damascus.  Shining  rods  roofed  upwards,  and  met  in  an  ornamental  da- 
sign,  where  the  god  of  sleep,  fknned  by  virgins  of  silver,  reclined  upon  a  coucb 
of  roses. 

I  drew  asiv  «  the  curtains — a  bank  of  snow — pillows,  as  if  prepared  for  the 
iheek  of  a  beautiful  bride.  I  had  not  slept  in  a  bed  for  two  months.  A  close 
crib  in  a  transport-ship ;  a  "  shake  down"  among  scorpions  and  spiders  upon 
Lobos — a  single  blanket  among  the  sand-hills,  wher.e  it  was  not  unusual  to 
wake  up  half  bnried  by  the  drift.* 

These  were  my  souvenirs.  Fancy  the  prospect.  It  certainly  invited  re- 
pose. And  yet  I  was  in  no  humor  to  sleep.  My  brain  was  in  a  whirl.  .The 
strange  incidents  of  the  day — some  of  them  were  mysterious — crowded  into 
my  mind.  My  whole  system,  mental  as  well  as  physical,  was  flushed  ;  and 
thought  followed  thought  with  nervous  rapidity. 

My  heart  shared  the  excitement — chords  long  silent,  had  been  touched — the 
divine  element  was  fairly  enthroned.     I  was  in  love ! 

It  was  not  the  first  passion  of  my  life,  and  I  easily  recognised  it.  Even 
jealousy  had  begun  to  distil  its  poison — "  Don  Santiago  !" 

I  was  standing  in  front  of  a  large  mirror,  when  I  noticed  two  small  minia- 
t\*rcs  hanging  agaiust  the  wall,  one  on  each  side  of  the  glass. 

*  This  was  a  common  occurronco.  On  one  occasion,  my  company  Tvere  employed  for 
twenty-four  hours  on  outpost  duty.  When  we  returned  to  our  former  bivouack,  the 
soldiers  found  their  knapsacks  completely  buried  in  the  drift.  Even  hills  of  fifty  feet  high 
are  thrown  up  in  a  single  night,  and  others  of  equal  altitude  disappear  as  quickly.  The 
tops  of  tall  trees  are  oft«n  trodden  under  foot  a?  you  paw  along  these  sandy  ridges 


THI<:    KIFI,K    RANGERS.  139 

I  bent  over  to  examine,  first,  that  which  hung  upon  the  right.  I  gazed  with 
emotion.  They  were  her  features ;  "  and  yet,"  thought  I,  "  the  painter  has 
not  flattered  her ;  it  might  better  represent  her,  ten  years  hence ;  still  the 
likeness  is  there — stupid  artist !"  I  turned  to  the  other.  "  Her  fair  sister,  no 
doubt — gracious  heaven  !  Do  my  eyes  deceive  me  1  No  !  the  black  wavy 
hair — the  arching  brows — the  sinister  liji — Dubrosc." 

A  sharp  pang  shot  through  my  heart.  I  looked  at  the  picture  again  and 
again,  with  a  kind  of  incredulous  bewilderment ;  but  every  fresh  examination 
only  strengthened  conviction.  "  There  is  no  mistaking  those  features — they 
are  his !"  Paralyzed  with  the  shock,  I  sank  into  a  chair ;  my  heart  filled 
with  the  most  painful  emotions. 

For  some  moments  I  was  unable  to  think,  much  less  to  act. 

"  What  can  it  mean  ?  Is  this  accomplished  villain  a  fiend  ? — the  fiend  of 
my  existence  ? — thus  to  cross  me  at  every  point,  perhaps  in  the  end  to  — " 

Our  mutual  dislike  at  first  meeting — Lobos — his  re-appearance  upon  the 
sand-hills — the  myster}^  of  his  passing  the  lines,  and  again  appearing  with  the 

guerilla — all  came  forcibly  upon  my  recollection,  and  now 1  seized  the 

lamp,  and  rushed  back  to  the  pictures. 

"  Yes,  I  am  not  mistaken  ;  it  is  he — it  is  she,  her  features — all — all.  And 
thus,  too  ! — the  position — side  by  side — counterparts  !  There  are  no  others 
on  the  wall — matched — mated — pa-haps  betrothed  !  His  name,  too,  Don 
Emilio  !  The  American  who  taught  them  English  !  His  is  Emile — the  voice 
cried  '  Emile  !'  Oh  !  the  coincidence  is  complete.  This  villain — handsome 
and  accomplished  as  he  is — has  been  here  before  me !  Betrothed — perhaps 
married — perhaps Torture  horrible !" 

I  reeled  back  to  my  chair,  dashing  the  lamp  recklessly  upon  the  table.  1 
know  not  how  long  1  sate,  but  a  world  of  wintry  thoughts  passed  througlv 
TTij  heart  and  brain.  A  clock  striking  from  a  large  picture  awoke  me  from 
my  reverie.  I  did  not  count  the  hours.  ]RIusic  began  to  play  behind  the 
pictui-e.  It  was  a  sad,  sweet  air,  that  chimed  with  my  feelings,  and,  to  some 
extent,  soothed  them.  I  arose  at  length,  and  hastily  undressing,  threw 
myself  upon  the  bed,  mentally  resolving  to  forget  all — to  forget  that  I  had 
I  ever  seen  her. 

"  I  will  rise  early — return  to  camp  without  meeting  her  ;  and,  once  there, 
my  duties  will  drive  away  this  painful  fancy.  The  drum  and  the  fife,  and  the 
roar  of  the  cannon,  will  drown  remembrance.  Ila !  it  was  only  a  passing 
thought  at  best — the  hallucination  of  a  moment.  I  shall  easily  get  rid  of  it. 
'^ !  ha !» 


140  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  laid  my  fevered  cheek  upon  the  soft,  cool  pillow.  I  felt  composed— 
almost  happy. 

"  A  Creole  of  New  Orleans  !  How  could  he  have  been  here  ?  Oh  !  have  I 
not  the  explanation  already  ?    Why  should  I  dwell  on  it  ?" 

A  jealous  heart — it  is  easy  to  say  "  forget." 

I  tried  to  prevent  my  thoughts  from  returning  to  this  theme.  I  directed 
them  to  a  thousand  things.  To  the  ships — to  the  landing — to  the  army — to 
the  soldiers — to  the  buttons  upon  their  jackets,  and  the  swabs  upon  their 
shoulders — to  every  thing  I  could  think  of— all  in  vain.  Back,  back,  back,  in 
painful  throes  it  came,  and  my  heart  throbbed,  and  my  brain  burned  with 
bitter  memories  freshly  awakened. 

I  turned,  and  tossed  upon  my  couch  for  many  a  long  hour.  The  clock  in 
the  picture  struck,  and  played  the  same  music  again  and  again,  still  soothing 
me  as  before !  Even  despair  has  its  moments  of  respite ;  and  worn  with 
fatigue — mental  as  well  as  physical — I  listened  to  the  sad  strain  until  it  died 
away  into  niy  dreams. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

THE   LIGHT   AFTER  THE   SHADE. 

When  I  awoke,  all  was  darkness  around  me.  I  threw  out  my  arms,  and 
opened  the  damask  curtains.  Not  a  ray  of  light  entered  the  room.  I  felt 
refreshed,  and  from  this  I  concluded  I  must  have  slept  long.  I  slipped  out 
upon  the  floor,  and  commenced  groping  for  my  watch.    Some  one  knocked. 

"  Come  in,"  I  called. 

The  door  opened,  and  a  flood  of  light  gushed  into  the  apartment.  It  was 
a  servant,  bearing  a  lamp. 

"  What  is  the  hour  1"  I  demanded. 

"  Nine  o'clock,  my  master,''  was  the  reply. 

The  servant  set  down  the  lamp,  and  went  out.  Another  immediately  ea 
tared,  carrying  a  salver  with  a  small  gold  cup. 

*'•  What  have  you  there  ?" 

"  Chocolate*  master ,  Dona  Joaquina  has  sent  it." 

1  drank  oft"  the  beverage,  and  hastened  to  dress  myself.  I  was  reflecting 
whether  I  should  pass  on  to  camp,  without  seeing  any  one  of  the  family. 
Somehow,  my  heart  felt  less  heavy.  I  believe  the  morning  always  brings 
relief  to  pain,  either  mental  or  bodily.    It  seems  to  be  a  law  of  nature — at 

*  Tho  first  thing  a  Mexican  dties  after  getting  up,  is  to  swallow  a  very  small  cup  of 
ehocolate  made  very  thick  and  sweet.  This  is  csdled  cUsayunar,  and  corresponds  to  tho 
French  dejeuner.  Your  Mexican  lives  on  this  till  half-past  tea  or  eleven,  whoh  he  takes 
breakfast  (almuerzoV  although  this  breakfast  bears  far  more  resemblance  to  a  dinner 
ibxa  io  the  meal  yrhf^Q  name  it  bears. 


142  TIIK    RIFI.K    KANGKRS. 

least  so  my  experience  tells  me.  The  morning  air,  buoyant  and  balmy,  dulls 
the  edge  of  anguish.  New  hopes  arise,  and  new  projects  appear  with  the  sun. 
The  invalid,  couch- tossing  through  the  long  watches  of  the  night,  will  acknow- 
ledge this  truth.     I  did  not  approach  the  mirror.     I  dared  not. 

"  I  will  not  look  upon  the  loved,  the  hated  face — no,  on  to  the  camp — let 
Lethe —     Has  my  friend  arisen  ?" 

"  Yes,  master ;  he  has  been  up  for  hours." 

"Ha  !  where  is  he?"  ■ 

"In  the  garden,  master."  I 

"Alone?"  ,  I 

"  No,  master  ;  he  is  with  the  nirtas,^^  ■ 

"  Happy,  light-hearted  Clayley !  No  jealous  thoughts  to  torture  him,^ 
mused  I,  as  I  buckled  on  my  stock. 

I  had  observed  that  the  fair-haired  sister  and  he  were  kindred  spirits — 
sympathetic  natures,  who  only  needed  to  be  placed,  en  rapport^  to  "like  each 
other  mightily" — who  could  laugh,  dance,  and  sing  together,  romp  for 
months,  and  then  get  married,  as  a  thing  of  course  ;  but  should  any  accident 
prevent  this  happy  consummation,  could  say  '•  good  bye,"  and  part,  without 
a  broken  heart  on  either  side.  An  easy  thing  for  natures  like  theirs  ;  a  return 
exchange  of  numerous  billets  doux — a  laugh  over  the  past,  and  a  light  heart 
for  the  future  1  Such  is  the  history  of  many  a  love.  I  can  vouch  for  it.  How 
different  with  — 

"  Tell  my  friend,  when  he  returns  to  the  house,  I  would  desire  to  sec  him." 

"  Yes,  master." 

The  servant  bowed,  and  left  the  room. 

In  a  few  minutes,  Clayley  made  his  appearance,  gay  as  a  grasshopper. 

"  So,  good  lieutenant,  you  have  been  improving  your  time,  I  hear  ?" 

"  Haven't  I,  though  ?    Such  a  delicious  stroll !    Haller — this  is  a  paradise.' 

"  Where  have  you  been  1 

"  Feeding  the  swans,"  rejilied  Clayley,  with  a  laugh. 

"But,  by  the  way,  yoxxr  chere  amie  hangs  her  prett}^  head  this  morning. 
She  seems  hurt  that  you  have  not  been  up.  She  kept  constantly  looking 
toward  the  house." 

"  Clayley,  will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  order  the  men  to  their  saddles  ?■" 

"  What !  going  so  soon  ?     Not  before  breakllist,  though  ?" 

"  In  five  minutes." 

•'  Whj^,  Captain  what's  the  matter  ?  &.nd  such  a  breakfast  as  they  ar« 
getting  !     Oh  Don  Cosmo  will  not  hear  of  it." 

"  Don  Cosmo ." 


THK    KIFLl':    RAXGKKS.  143 

Our  host  entered  at  that  moment,  and,  listening  to  nis  remonstrances,  the 
order  was  rescinded,  and  I  consented  to  remain. 

I  saluted  the  ladies  with  as  much  courtesy  as  I  could  assume.  I  could  not 
help  the  coldness  of  my  manner  ;  and  I  could  perceive  that,  with  her  it  did  not 
pass  unobserved. 

"We  sate  down  to  the  breakfast-table,  but  my  heart  was  full  of  bitterness ; 
and  I  scarcely  touched  the  delicate  viands  that  were  placed  before  me. 

'•  You  do  not  eat,  Capitan.  I  hope  you  are  well  ?"  said  Don  Cosme,  ob- 
serving my  strange  and  somewhat  rude  demeanor. 

"  Thank  you,  Seiior.     I  never  enjoyed  better  health." 

I  studiously  avoided  looking  towards  her,  paying  slight  attentions  to  her 
sister.  This  is  the  game  of  piques.  Once  Of  twice,  I  ventured  a  side  glance. 
Her  eyes  were  bent  upon  me  with  a  strange,  inquiring  look. 

They  are  swimm.ing  in  tears — and  soft — and  forgiving.  They  are  swollen. 
She  has  been  weeping.  That  is  not  strange.  Her  brother's  danger  is,  no 
doubt,  the  cause  of  her  sorrow. 

Yet  is  there  not  reproach  in  her  looks  ?  Reproach  ?  How  ill  does  my 
conduct  of  last  night  correspond  with  this  affected  coldness — this  rudeness  ! 
Can  she,  too,  be  suffering  ? 

I  arose  from  the  table,  and,  walking  forth,  ordered  Lincoln  to  prepare  the 
men  for  marching. 

I  strolled  down  among  the  orange-trees.  Clayley  followed  soon  after,  ac- 
companied by  both  the  girls.  Don  Cosme  remained  at  the  house  to  superin- 
tend the  saddling  of  his  mule,  while  Dofla  Joaquina  was  packing  the  last 
articles  into  his  portmanteau. 

Following  some  silent  instinct,  we  came  together.  Clayley  and  his  mistress 
had  strayed  away,  leaving  us  alone.  I  had  not  yet  spoken.  I  felt  a  strange 
impulse, — a  desire  to  know  the  worst.  I  felt  as  one  looking  over  a  fearful 
precipice. 

Then  I  will  brave  the  danger ;  it  can  be  no  worse  than  this  agony  of  sus- 
picion— of  suspense. 

I  turned  towards  her.  Her  head  was  bent  to  one  side.  She  was  crushing 
an  orange-flower  between  her  fingers,  and  her  eyes  seemed  to  follow  the 
dropping  fragments. 

How  beautiful  was  she  at  that  moment ! 

''  The  artist  has  not  certainly  flattered  you." 
.  She  looked  at  me  with  a  bewildered  expression.    Oh!  those  swimming 
eyes ! 


/ 


144  THE    KIKLE    K ANGERS. 

She  did  not  understand  me 

I  repeated  the  observation. 

" Sefior  Captain,  what  do  )  3U  mean?" 

"  That  the  painter  has  not  done  you  jiist'ce.  The  portrait  is  certainly  a 
Jkeness,  yet  the  expression,  I  think,  should  have  been  younger." 

"The  painter'    What  painter?    The  portrait !    What  portrait,  Soflor  1" 

"I  refer  to  your  portrait,  which  I  accidentally  found  hanging  in  my  apart- 
ment." 

"  Ah  !  by  the  mirror  ?" 

"  Yes ;  by  the  mirror,"  I  answered  sul.enly. 

"  But  it  is  not  mine,  Sefior  Oapitan." 

"Ha!— how?    Not  yours?" 

"  No ;  it  is  the  portrait  of  my  cousin,  Maria  de  Mereed.  They  saw  we  were 
nuch  alike." 

My  heart  expanded.  My  whole  frame  quivered  under  the  influence  of  joy- 
ful emotions. 

"  And  the  gentleman  ?"  I  faltered  out. 

"  Don  Emilio  ?    He  was  cousin's  lover — huyeron."* 

As  she  repeated  the  last  word,  she  turned  her  head  away,  and  I  thought 
there  was  a  sadness  in  her  manner. 

I  was  about  to  speak,  when  she  continued : — 

"  It  was  her  room, — we  have  not  touched  anything." 

"  And  where  is  your  cousin,  now  ?" 

"  We  know  not." 

"  There  is  a  mystery,"  thought  I.  I  pressed  the  subject  no  farther.  It 
tvas  nothing  to  me,  now.     My  heart  was  happy. 

"  Let  us  walk  farther,  Lupita." 

She  turned  her  eyes  upon  me  with  an  expression  of  wonder.  The  change 
in  my  manner — so  sudden — how  was  she  to  account  for  it  ?  I  could  have 
knelt  before  her,  and  explained  all.  Reserve  disappeared  ;  and  the  confidence 
of  the  preceding  night  was  fully  restored. 

Wo  wandered  along  under  the  gicarda-rayas  amidst  sounds  and  scenes 
suggestive  of  love  and  tenderness.  Love !  We  heard  it  in  the  songs  of  a 
thousand  birds— in  the  humming  of  the  bees — in  the  voices  of  all  nature 
nround  us.  We  felt  it  in  our  own  hearts.  The  late  cloud  had  passed,  making 
the  sky  still  brighter  than  before — the  re-action  had  heightened  our  mutual 

•  Literally,  "  they  fled ;"  figuratively,  "  they  eloped." 


Till'.    r;iKi.i'.   i;,  \NOKH>.  145 

l>asbion  to  th(j  iuteiiyity  of  uon-rcsistauco  ;  and  wc  walked  on,  her  liandclaspc'. 
in  mine.     We  had  eyes  only  for  each  other. 

We  reached  a  clump  of  cocoa-trees — one  of  them  had  fallen,  and  its  sraooti 
trunk  offered  a  seat,  protected  from  the  sun,  by  the  shadowy  leaves  of  its  fel 
lows.  On  this  we  sate  down.  There  was  no  reeistance — no  reasoning  pro 
cess — no  calculation  of  advantages,  and  chances — such  as  is  too  often  mingV-u 
with  the  noble  passion  of  love.  We  felt  nothing  of  this— nothing  but  tha' 
undeflnable  impulse  which  had  entered  our  hearts,  and  against  whose  mystica 
power  neither  of  us  dreamed  of  struggling.  Delay  and  duty  were  alike  for 
gotten. 

"  I  shall  ask  that  question  now — I  shall  know  my  fate  at  once." 

In  the  changing  scene  of  a  soldier's  life,  there  is  but  little  time  for  the  slov. 
formalities— the  zealous  vigils— the  comphcated  finesse  of  courtship.  Perhap^ 
this  corsideration  impelled  me.  I  have  but  little  confidence  in  the  cold  heari 
that  is  won  by  a  series  of  assiduities.  There  is  too  much  calculation  of  after 
events — too  much  selfishness.  These  reflections  passed  through  my  mind.  1 
bent  towards  my  companion,  and  whispered  to  her  in  that  language — riri 
iljove  all  others  in  the  vocabulary  of  the  heart —    . 

"  Guadalupe,  tu  me  amas  ?"     (Stuadalupe,  do  you  love  me  ?) 

''  Yo  te  avio  .'"  was  the  simple  reply. 

The  confession  rendered  her  sacred  in  my  eyes ;  and  we  sate  for  some  tinu 
silent— enjoying  that  transport  only  known  to  those  who  have  truly,  p-arel\ 
loved. 

The  trampling  of  hoofs  !  It  was  Clayley  at  the  head  of  the  troop.  The} 
were  mounted,  and  waiting  for  me.  Don  Cosme  was  impatient ;  so  was  the 
Dofia  Joaquina.     I  could  not  blame  them,  knowing  the  cause. 

"  Ride  forward  !     I  will  follow  presently." 

The  Dorsemen  filed  off  into  the  fields,  headed  by  the  lieutenant,  beside 
whotu  rode  Don  Cosme,  on  his  white  mule. 

•'  You  will  soon  return,  Enrique  V 

••  I  will  lose  no  opportunity ;  I  shall  long  for  the  hour  more  than  you,  I 
fear." 

"  Oh  !  no,  no  !" 

"  Believe  me  yes,  Lupita  !     Say  again  you  will  never  cease  to  love  me  T 

."  Never,  never !     Tuya,  tuya,  hasta  la  muorle  .'"     (Yours  till  death.) 


146  THE    KIFLK    EANGKR8. 

How  often  has  this  question  been  asked  !    How  often  answered  as  above ! 

I  sprang  into  the  saddle.  A  parting  look — another  from  a  distance — a 
wave  of  the  hand — and  the  next  moment  I  was  urging  my  horse  in  fulJ  gallop 
along  under  the  shadowy  palms. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII.    . 

A    DISAPPOINTMENT    AND    A    NEW    PLAN. 

I  OVERTOOK  my  companions  as  they  were  entering  the  woods.  Clayley, 
who  had  been  looking  back  from  time  to  time,  brushed  alongside,  as  if  wish- 
ing to  enter  into  conversation. 

"  Hard  work,  Captain,  to  leave  such  quarters.  By  Jove,  I  could  have  stayed 
for  ever." 

"  Come,  Clayley,  you  are  in  love." 

"  Yes  ;  they  who  live  in  glass  houses— Oh !  if  I  could  only  speak  the  lingo 
as  you  do." 

I  could  not  help  smiling,  for  I  had  overheard  him  through  the  trees  making 
the  most  he  could  of  his  partner's  broken  English.  I  was  curious  to  know 
how  he  had  sped,  sind  whether  he  had  been  as  "  quick  upon  the  trigger"  as 
myself.     My  curiosity  was  soon  relieved. 

"  I  tell  you,  Captain,"  he  continued,  "  if  I  could  only  have  talked  it,  I 
would  have  put  the  question  on  the  spot.  I  did  try  to  git  a  "  yes "  or  ft 
''  no  "  out  of  her ;  but  she  either  couldn't,  or  wouldn't  understand  me.  It  was 
%n  bad  luck." 

"  Could  you  not  make  her  understand  you  ?  Surely  she  knows  English 
enough  for  that  ?" 

'  I  thought  so,  too  ;  but,  when  I  spoke  about  love,  she  only  laughed,  and 
slapped  me  on  the  face  with  her  fan.  Oh !  no,  the  thing  must  be  done  m 
Spanish,  that's  plain  ;  and  you  see  I  am  going  to  set  about  it  in  earnest.  She 
loaned  me  these."  So  saying,  he  pulled  out  of  the  crown  of  his  foraging  cap 
a  couple  of  small  volumes,  which  I  recognised  as  a  Spanish  grammar  and  dic- 
tionary.    I  could  not  resist  laughing  aloud. 


148  THK    miLK    KANGKE8. 

••  Comrade,  you  will  find  the  best  dictionary  to  be  the  lady  herself." 

"  That's  true  ;  but  how  the  deuce  are  we  to  get  back  again  ?  A  mule  hunt 
don't  happen  every  day." 

"  I  fancy  there  will  be  some  difficulty  in  it." 

I  had  already  thought  of  this.  It  was  no  easy  matter  to  steal  away  from 
camp.  One's  brothei'-officers  are  so  solicitous  about  your  appearance  at  drills 
and  parades.  The  ranche  was  at  least  ten  miles  from  the  lines,  and  the  road 
would  not  be  the  safest  for  the  solitary  lover.  The  prospect  of  frequent 
returns  was  not  at  all  flattering. 

"  Can't  we  steal  out  at  night  ?"  suggested  Clayley.  "  I  think  we  might 
mount  half-a-dozen  of  our  fellows,  and  do  it  snugly.  What  do  you  say, 
Captain  ?" 

"  Clayley,  I  cannot  return  without  this  brother.  I  have  almost  given  my 
tvord  to  that  effect." 

"  You  have  1  That  is  bad  !  I  fear  there  is  no  prospect  of  getting  him  out 
as  you  propose." 

My  companion's  prophetic  forboding  proved  but  too  correct;  for,  on 
nearing  the  camp,  we  were  met  by  an  aide-de-damp  of  the  commander-in- 
chief,  who  informed  me  tbat,  on  that  very  morning,  all  communication 
between  the  foreign  ships  of  war  and  the  besieged  city,  had  been  pro- 
hibited. 

Don  Cosme's  journey,  then,  would  be  in  vain.  I  explained  this,  advising 
him  to  return  to  his  family. 

"  Do  not  make  it  known — say  that  some  time  is  required,  and  you  have  left 
the  matter  in  my  hands.  Be  assured  I  shall  be  among  the  first  to  enter  the 
city,  and  I  shall  find  him,  and  bring  him  to  his  mother  in  safety." 

This  was  the  only  consolation  I  could  offer 

"  You  are  kind,  Capitan — very  kind  ;  but  I  know  that  nothing  can  now  be 
done.     We  can  only  hope  and  pray." 

The  old  man  had  dropped  into  a  bent  attitude,  his  countenance  marked  by 
the  deepest  melancholy.  Taking  the  Frenchman,  Raoul,  along  with  me,  I 
rode  back  until  I  had  placed  him  beyond  the  danger  of  the  straggling  plun- 
derer, when  we  shook  hands,  and  parted.  As  he  left  me,  I  turned  to  look 
after  him.  He  still  sate  in  that  attitude  that  betokens  deep  dejection,  his 
shoulders  bent  forward  over  the  neck  of  his  mule,  while  he  gazed  vacantly  on 
the  path !  My  heart  sank  at  the  spectacle,  and,  sad  and  dispirited,  I  rode  at 
a  lagging  pace  towards  the  camp. 

Not  a  shot  had  as  yet  been  fired  against  the  town,  but  our  batteries  wcr« 
ttpvly  perfected,  and  several  mortars  were  mounted  and  ready  to  fling  m 


THE   RTFLIj:   kangkrs.  149 

their  deadly  missiles.  I  knew  that  ever}'  r,hot  and  shell  would  carry  death 
into  the  devoted  city  ;  for  there  was  not  a  point  within  its  walls  out  of  range 
of  a  ten-inch  howitzer.  Women  and  children  must  perish  along  with  armed 
soldiers ;  and  the  boy — he,  too — might  be  a  victim.  "Would  this  be  the 
tidings  I  should  carry  to  his  home  1  And  how  should  I  be  received  by 
her  with  such  a  tale  upon  my  lips  ?  Already  have  I  sent  back  a  sorrowing 
father. 

"  Is  there  no  way  to  save  him,  Raoul  ?" 

"  Captain  ?"  answered  the  man,  starting  at  the  vehemence  of  my  manner. 

A  sudden  thought  had  occurred  to  me. 

"  Ape  you  well  acquainted  with  Vera  Cruz  7" 

"  I  know  every  street,  Captain." 

"  Where  do  those  arches  lead  that  open  from  the  sea  1  There  is  one  on 
each  side  of  the  m,oIe" 

I  had  observed  these  when  visiting  a  friend — an  oflBcer  of  the  navy — on 
board  his  ship. 

"  They  are  conductors,  Captain,  to  carry  off  the  overflow  of  the  sea  after  a 
norther  ;  they  lead  under  the  city,  opening  at  various  places.  I  have  had  tha 
pleasure  of  passing  through  them." 

"  Ha  !  how  ?" 

"  On  a  little  smuggling  expedition." 

"  It  is  possible,  then,  to  reach  the  town  by  these  ?'• 

"  Nothing  easier — unless  they  may  have  a  guard  at  the  mouth  ;  but  that  ia 
not  likely.     They  would  not  dream  of  any  one's  making  the  attempt." 

"  How  would  you  like  to  make  it  ?" 

"  If  the  Captain  wishes  it,  I  will  bring  him  a  bottle  of  wine  from  the  Caft 
de  Santa  Anna." 

"  I  do  not  wish  you  t&  go  alone.     I  would  accompany  you." 

"  Think  of  it.  Captain  ;  there  is  risk  for  you.  I  may  go  safely.  No  om 
knows  that  I  have  joined  you,  I  believe.     If  you  are  taken — " 

"  Yes,  yes.    I  know  well  the  result." 

"  The  risk  is  not  great  either,"  continued  the  Frenchman,  in  a  half  soliloquy 
"  Disguised  as  Mexicans,  you  speak  the  language  as  well  as  I.  If  you  wisl 
it,  Captain." 

"I  do." 

"  I  am  ready  then." 

I  knew  the  fellow  well.  One  of  those  dare-devil  spirits  ready  for  anything, 
that  promised  adventure.    A  child  of  fortune — astray  waif  tumbling  aboui 


150  THK    KIFr.K    RANGKRS. 

among  the  waves  of  chance — gitted  with  head  and  heart  of  no  common 
order — ignorant  of  books,  yet  educated  in  experience.  There  was  a  dash  of 
the  heroic  in  his  character,  that  had  won  my  admiration,  and  I  was  fond  of 
his  company. 

It  was  a  desperate  adventure.     I  knew  that ;  but  I  felt  stronger  interest 

than  common  in  the  fate  of  this  boy.     My  own  future  fate,  too,  was,  in  a 

■  great  degree  connected  with  his  safety.     There  was  something  in  the  very 

danger  that  lured  me,    I  felt  that  it  would  be  adding  another  chapter  to  a  lifa 

^hich  I  have  termed  adventurous. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

A    FOOL-HARDY    ADVENTURE. 

At  night.  Eaoul  and  I — disguised  in  the  leathern  dresses  of  two  rancheros — 
stole  around  the  lines  ;  and  reached  Punta  Hornos,  a  point  beyond  our  own 
pickets. 

Here  we  "  took  the  water,"  wading  waist  deep.  This  was  about  ten 
o'clock.  The  tide  was  just  setting  out — and  the  night,  by  good  fortune,  was 
as  dark  as  pitch. 

As  the  swell  rolled  in,  we  were  buried  to  the  neck ;  and,  when  it  rolled 
back  again,  we  bent  forward,  so  that  at  no  time  could  much  of  our  bodies  be 
seen  above  the  surface. 

In  this  manner — half  wading,  half  swimming — we  kept  up  to  the  town. 

It  was  a  toilsome  journey  ;  but  the  water  was  warm,  and  the  sand  on  the 
bottom  firm  and  level.  We  were  strengthened — I  at  least — by  hope,  and  the 
knowledge  of  danger.  Doubtless  my  companion  felt  the  latter  stimulant  as 
much  as  I.  We  soon  reached  the  battlements  of  Santiago.  Here  we  pro- 
ceeded with  increased  caution.  We  could  see  the  sentry  up  against  the  sky, 
pacing  along  the  parapet.  His  shrill  cry  startled  us.  We  thought  we  had 
been  discovered.  The  darkness  alone  prevented  this.  At  length  we  passed 
him,  and  came  opposite  the  city,  whose  battlements  rested  upon  the  water's 
edge.  The  tide  was  at  ebb,  and  a  bed  of  black  weed-covered  rocks  lay  between 
the  sea  and  the  bastion.  We  approached  these  with  caution  ;  and,  crawling 
over  the  slipper}--  sides  a  hundred  yards  or  so,  found  ourselves  in  the  entrance 
of  the  conductor.  Here  we  halted  to  rest  ourselves,  sitting  upon  a  ledge  of 
rock.     We  were  in  no  more  danger  here  than  in  our  own  tents ;  yet  within 


152  THE    }aFt,K    HANOKKFS. 

twenty  feet  were  men,  who,  had  tliey  known  our  proximity,  would  have 
strung  us  up  like  a  pair  of  dogs.  B-ut  our  danger  was  far  from  lying  at  this 
end  of  the  adventure.  After  a  rest  of  half  an  hour,  we  kept  up  the  conductor. 
My  companion  seemed  perfectly  at  home  in  this  subterranean  passage,  walk- 
ing along  as  boldly  as  if  it  had  been  brilliantly  lighted  with  gas.  We 
approached  a  grating,  where  a  light  shot  in  from  above. 

"  Can  we  pass  out  here?"  I  inquired. 

"  Not  yet,  Captain,"  answered  Raoul,  in  a  whisper.     "  Farther  on." 

We  passed  the  grating — then  another,  and  another — and  at  length  reached 
one,  where  only  a  feeble  ray  struggled  downward  through  the  bars.  Here 
my  guide  stopped,  and  listened  attentively,  for  several  minutes.  Then  stretch- 
ing out  his  h&nd,  he  undid  the  fastening  of  the  grate,  and  silently  turned  it 
upon  its  hinge.  He  next  swung  himself  up,  until  his  head  projected  abova 
ground.  In  this  position,  he  again  listened,  looking  cautiously  on  all  sides. 
Satisfied,  at  length,  he  drew  his  body  through  the  grating,  and  disappearefl- 
After  a  short  interval,  he  returned,  and  called  down — 

"  Come,  Captain  ?" 

I  swung  myself  up  to  the  street.     Eaoul  shut  down  the  trap  with  care. 

"  Take  marks.  Captain  !"  whispered  he ;  "  we  may  get  separated  " 

It  was  a  dismal  suburb.  No  living  thing  was  apparent,  with  the  exception 
of  a  gang  of  prowling  dogs — lean  and  savage — as  all  dogs  are  during  a  siege. 
An  image,  decked  in  all  the  glare  of  gaud  and  tinsel,  looked  out  of  a  glazed 
niche  in  the  opposite  wall !  A  dim  lamp  burned  at  its  feet,  showing  to  the 
charitable  a  receptacle  for  their  offerings.  A  quaint  old  steeple  loomed  in  the 
darkness  overhead. 

"  What  church  ?"  I  asked  Ilaoul 

"  La  Magdalene." 

"  That  will  do.     Now  onward." 

"  Btierias  noches  !  Senor,^'  said  Raoul  to  a  soldier,  who  passed  us,  wra].pod 
in  his  great  coat. 

"Buenos  noches  P'  returned  the  man,  in  a  gruff  voice. 

We  stole  cautiously  along  the  streets,  keeping  in  the  darker  ones  to  avoid 
>bservation.  The  citizens  were  mostly  in  their  beds  ;  but  groups  of  soldiers 
were  straggling  about,  and  patrols  met  us  at  every  corner.  It  became  neces- 
sary to  pass  through  one  of  the  streets,  that  was  brilliantly  lighted.  Wlicn 
about  L-lf  way  up,  a  fellow  came  swinging  along,  and,  noticing  our  strange 
appearance,  stopped  and  looked  after  us.  Our  dresses,  as  I  have  said,  were  of 
leather.  Our  calsoneros,  as  well  as  jackets,  were  shining  with  the  sea  water, 
and  dripping  upon  the  pavement  at  every  step. 


THE    RTFLK    RANOiai?.  153 

Before  we  could  walk  beyond  reach,  th«  man  shouted  out — 

"  Carajo  !  Cabelleros,  why  don't  you  strip  before  entering  the  bano  ?" 

•*  What  is  it  ?"  cried  a  soldier,  coming  up  and  stopping  us. 

A  group  of  his  comrades  joined  him,  and  we  were  hurried  into  the  light. 

"  MU  diahlos .'"  exclaimed  one  of  the  soldiers,  recognising  Raoul ;  '•  our 
old  friend  the  Frenchman  !     Parlez-vous  Frangais,  Monsieur  ?" 

"  Spies !"  cried  another. 

"  Arrest  them  !"  shouted  a  sergeant  of  the  guard,  at  the  moment  coming  up 
with  a  patrol,  and  we  were  both  jumped  upon,  and  held  by  about  a  dozen  men. 

In  vain  Raoul  protested  our  innocence,  declaring  that  we  were  only  two 
poor  fishermen,  who  had  wet  our  clothes  in  drawing  the  nets ! 

"  It's  not  a  fisherman's  costume,  Monsieur,"  said  one. 

"  Fishermen  don't  usually  wear  diamonds  on  their  knuckles,"  cried  another, 
snatching  a  ring  from  my  finger. 

On  this  ring,  inside  the  criclet,  were  engrayen  my  name  and  rank ! 

Several  men  now  coming  forward,  recognised  Raoul,  and  stated,  moreover, 
that  he  had  been  missing  for  some  days. 

"  He  must,  therefore,"  said  they,  "  have  been  with  the  Yankees." 

We  were  soon  handcuffed,  and  marched  off  to  the  guard-prison.  There  w« 
were  closely  searched,  but  nothing  further  was  found,  except  my  purse,  con- 
ainiiifg  several  gold  eagles — an  American  coin  that  would  have  condemned 
me  of  itself.  We  were  now  heavily  chained  to  each  other,  and  the  guard  left 
us  to  our  thoughts.  They  could  not  have  left  us  in  much  less  agreeable  oom 
panionship. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 


HELP    FROM    HEAVEN. 


"  I  WOULD  not  caro  a  claco  for  my  own  life,"  said  Raoul,  as  the  gate  closed 
cpon  us,  "  but  that  you,  Captain — helas !  helas  !"  and  the  Frenchman  groaned 
and  sank  upon  the  stone  bench,  dragging  me  down  also.  I  could  offer  no 
consolation.  I  knew  that  we  should  be  tried  as  spies ;  and,  if  convicted — a 
result  almost  certain — wo  had  not  twenty  hours  to  live.  The  thought  that  I 
had  brought  this  brave  fellow  to  such  a  fate  enhanced  the  misery  of  my  situ- 
ation. To  die  thus  ingloriously  was  bitter  indeed.  Three  days  ago,  I  would 
have  spent  my  life  recklessly  ;  but  now,  how  changed  were  my  feelings  !  I 
had  found  something  worth  living  to  enjoy ;  and  to  think  I  should  never 
again — '•  Oh  !  I  have  become  a  coward."     I  cursed  my  rashness  bitterly. 

"We  passed  the  night  in  vain  attempts  at  mutual  consolation.  Even  our 
present  sufferings  occupied  us.  Our  clothes  were  wet  through,  and  the  night 
had  become  piercing  cold.  Our  bed  was  a  bench  of  stone  ;  and  upon  this  we 
lay,  as  our  chains  would  allow  us.  sleeping  close  together,  to  generate  warmth. 
It  was,  to  us,  a  miserable  night ;  but  morning  came  at  last ;  and  at  an  early 
hour  we  were  examined  by  the  ofBcer  of  the  guard. 

Our  court-martial  was  fixed  for  the  afternoon,  and  before  this  tribunal  we 
were  carried,  amidst  the  jeers  of  the  populace.  "We  told  our  storj',  giving  the 
name  of  the  boy,  Narcisso,  and  the  house  where  he  was  lodged.  Tliis  was 
verified  by  the  court;  but  declared  to  be  a  nise  invented  by  my  conira.le 
whose  knowledge  of  circumstances  rendered  the  thing  probable  enouglj. 
Raoul,  moreover,  was  identified  by  many  of  the  citizens,  who  proved  his  dis- 
appearance, coincident  with  the  landing  of  our  expedition.     Besides,  uiy  ring 


l;A^•OKil^:. 


155 


and  purse  were  sufficient  of  theinselveg  to  condemn  us — and  condemned  wu 
were.  We  were  to  be  garotted  on  the  following  morning  !  Raoul  was  offered 
life,  if  he  would  turn  traitor,  and  give  information  of  the  enemy.  The  brave 
soldier  indignantly  spurned  the  offer.  It  was  extended  to  me,  with  a  similar 
result. 

All  at  once,  I  observed  a  strange  commotion  among  the  people.  Citizens 
and  soldiers  rushed  from  the  hall,  and  the  court  hastily  pronouncing  our  sen- 
tence, ordered  us  to  be  carried  away.  We  were  seized  by  the  guard,  and 
pulled  into  the  street,  and  dragged  back  towards  our  late  prison.  Uur  con- 
ductors were  evidently  in  a  great  hurry.  As  we  passed  along,  we  were  met 
by  citizens  running  t'O  and  fro,  apparently  in  great  terror.  Women  and  chil- 
dren uttering  shrieks,  and  suddenly  disappearing  behind  walls  and  battle- 
ments. Some  fell  upon  their  knees,  beating  their  breasts  and  praying  loudly. 
Others,  clasping  their  infants,  stood  shivering  and  speechless ! 

"  It  is  just  like  the  way  they  go  in  an  earthquake ;  but  there  is  none. 
What  can  it  be.  Captain  ?" 

Before  I  could  reply,  the  answer  came  from  another  quarter. 

Far  above,  an  object  wa-?  hissing  and  hurtling  through  the  air. 

"  A  shell  from  ours  1  Hurrah  !"  cried  Raoul. 

I  could  scarcely  refrain  from  cheering,  though  we  ourselves  night  be  its 
rictims. 

The  soldiers  who  were  guarding  us  had  flung  themselves  down  behind  walls 
and  pillars,  leaving  us  alone  in  the  open  street. 

The  bomb  fell  beyond  us,  and,  striking  the  pavement,  burst.  The  frag- 
ments went  crashing  through  the  side  of  an  adjoining  house ;  and  the  wail 
that  canie  back,  told  how  well  the  iron  missiles  had  done  their  work.  This 
was  the  second  shell  that  had  been  projected  from  the  American  mortars, 
The  first  had  been  equally  destructive  ;  and  hence  the  extreme  terror  of  both 
citizen  and  soldier.     Every  missile  seemed  charged  with  death  ! 

Our  guard  now  returned,  and  dragged  us  onward,  treating  us  with  the 
greatest  brutality.  They  were  enraged  at  the  eshultation  visible  in  our  man- 
ner ;  and  one,  more  ferocious  than  the  rest,  drove  his  bayonet  into  the  fleshy 
part  of  my  comrade's  thigh.  After  several  acts  of  inhumanity,  we  were 
thrown  into  our  prison,  and  locked  up  as  before. 

Since  our  capture,  we  had  tasted  neither  food  nor  drink,  and  hunger  and 
thii-st  added  to  the  misery  of  our  situation. 

The  insult  had  maddened  Raoul,  and  the  pain  of  his  wound  now  rendered 
him  furious.     He  had  not  hands  to  touch  it,  or  dress  it.     Frenzied  by  anger 


,'.{)  THE    RIFLE    RANGEKS. 

ud  pain  to  a  strength  almost  superhuman,  he  twisted  off  his  iron  nianaclea 
s  if  they  had  been  straws.  This  done,  the  chain  that  bound  us  together 
was  soon  broken,  and  our  ankle  "jewelry"  followed. 

"  We  will  live  our  last  hours,  Captain,  as  we  have  our  Hves — free  and  un« 
fettered !» 
I  could  not  help  admiring  the  spirit  of  my  brave  comrade. 
"We  placed  ourselves  close  to  the  door  to  listen. 

We  could  hear  the  heavy  cannonade  all  around,  and  now  and  then  the 
istant  shots  from  the  American  batteries.  We  would  wait  for  the  bursting 
r  the  bombs,  and,  as  the  hoarse  thunder  of  crumbling  walls  reached  our  ears, 
.'aoul  would  spring  up,  shouting  his  wild,  half  French,  half-Indian  "Hur- 
ab!" 
A  thought  occurred  to  me. 

"  We  have  arms,  Raoul."    I  held  up  the  fragments  of  the  heavy  chain  that 
:ad  yoked  us.     "  Could  you  reach  the  trap  on  a  run,  withont  the  danger  of 
aistaking  your  way  ?" 
Raoul  started. 

"  You  are  right.  Captain — I  can.  It  is  barely  possible  they  may  visit  us 
■o-uight.     If  so,  any  chance  for  life  is  better  than  none  at  all," 

By  a  tacit  understanding  each  of  us  took  a  fragment  of  the  chain — there 
"ere  but  two — and  sat  down  by  the  door  to  bo  ready  in  case  our  guards 
-hould  open  it.  Wo  sat  for  over  an  hour,  without  exchanging  a  word.  We 
ould  hear  the  shells  as  they  burst  upon  the  house-tops,  and  the  crashing  of 
oru  timbers,  the  rumbling  of  walls  rolling  over,  struck  by  the  heavy  shot 
7e  could  hear  the  shouts  of  men,  and  the  wailing  of  woman,  with  now  an 
iicn  a  shriek  louder  tha':  all  others,  as  some  missile  carried  death  into  th 
error-struck  crowd. 

Scxre .'"  said  Raoul ;  "  if  they  had  only  allowed  us  a  couple  of  days,  our 
friends  would  have  opened  these  doors.     Sucre  .'" 

This  exclamation  was  uttered  in  a  shriek.  Simultaneous!}^,  a  heavy  object 
burst  through  the  roof,  tearing  the  bricks  and  plaster,  and  falling  with  the 
;  incT  of  iron  on  the  floor. 

Then  followed  a  deafening  crash.  The  whole  earth  seemed  to  shake,  and 
he  whizzing  of  a  thousand  particles  filled  the  air.  A  cloud  of  dust  and  lime, 
mixed  with  the  smoke  of  sulphur,  was  around  us.  I  gasped  for  breath,  nearly 
suffocated.  I  endeavored  to  cry  Out,  but  my  voice,  husky  and  hoarse,  was 
scarcely  audible  to  myself.  I  succeeded,  at  length,  in  ejaculating : 
"  Raoul— Raoul !" 


J 


1  felt  myself  giappling  nith  the  lawny  raon<;t(.is  u  1  h  nl  t  p;  tl  t  i  o\e  tl  tl  If  Iti  v 
sprang  at  mj  throat  and  I  thtewout  myaini<!  thi  istnig  them  fexile  h  Ittneen  tit 
shining  io\vs  of  teeth  Ihen  I  « as  fiee  aguii  and  seizin^  a  le^  oi  a  til  oi  the  loose 
flaps  of  the  neck  I  di  igge  1  a  sa\age  biute  towaidi.  tlie  brinl  an  1  sunimonin„  all  my 
stiength   dashed  him  a„  iinst  the  blow,  that  he  might  tumble  howling  o\  t    — Pvot.  156 


.:  I  :/t 


TIIK    KIFLK    KANOERS.  157 

I  heard  the  voice  of  my  comrade,  seemingly  at  a  great  distance.  I  threw 
out  my  arms  and  groped  for  him.  He  was  close  by  me,  but,  like  myself; 
choking  for  want  of  air. 

"  Sacre  !  it  was  a  shell,"  said  he,  in  a  wheezing  voice.  "  Are  you  hurt, 
Captain  ?" 

"No,"  I  replied ;  "  and  you  ?" 

"  Sound  as  a  bell— our  luck  is  good — it  must  have  struck  every  other  pjjrt 
of  the  cell." 

"  Better  it  had  not  missed  us,"  said  I,  after  a  pause ;  "  we  arc  only  spared 
for  the  garotte.''^ 

"  I  am  not  so  sure  of  that,  Captain." 

"  "Where  that  shell  came  in,  something  else  may  go  out.  Let  us  see — was 
It  the  roof?" 

"  I  think  so." 

We  greped  hand  in  hand  towards  the  centre  of  the  room,  looking  upwards. 

"  "Waugh !"  ejaculated  Raoul,  "  I  can't  see  a  foot  before  me— my  eyes  are 
madi—Bah  r 

So  were  mine.  "We  stood  waiting.  The  dust  was  gradually  settling ;  and 
we  could  perceive  a  faint  glimmer  from  above.  There  was  a  hole  through  the 
roof! 

Slowly  its  outlines  became  defined,  and  we  could  see  that  it  was  large 
enough  to  pass  the  body  of  a  man ;  but  it  was  at  least  fourteen  feet  from  the 
floor,  and  we  had  not  timber  enough  to  make  a  walking-stick  ! 

"  What  is  to  be  done  1  we  are  not  cats,  Raoul,     We  can  never  reach  it !" 

Jly  comrade,  without  making  a  reply,  lifted  me  up  in  his  arms,  telling  mo 
to  climb.  I  mounted  upon  his  shoulders,  balancing  myself  like  a  Bedouin ; 
but  with  my  utmost  stretch,  I  could  not  touch  the  roof. 

"  Hdid  !"  cried  I,  a  thought  striking  me.  "Let  me  down,  Raoul.  Now,  if 
they  will  only  give  us  a  little  time." 

"  Never  fear  for  them  ;  they've  enough  to  do  taking  care  of  their  own  car- 
casses." 

I  had  noticed  that  a  beam  of  the  roof  formed  one  side  of  the  break ;  and  I 
proceeded  to  twist  our  handcuffs  into  a  clamp,  while  Raoul  peeled  off  his 
leather  breeches  and  commenced  tearing  them  into  strips.  In  ten  minutes 
our  tackle  was  ready;  and,  mounting  my  comrade's  shoulders,  I  flung  it 
carefully  at  the  beam.  It  failed  to  catch,  and  I  came  to  the  floor,  my  balance 
being  lost.  I  repeated  the  attempt.  Again  it  failed,  and  I  staggered  down  aa 
before. 


If) 8  'IIII''.    RIFLE    RAKGKKS. 

"  Sacre  /''  "vied  Raoul  through  his  teeth.  The  iron  had  struck  him  on 
the  head. 

"  Come,  we  will  try,  and  try — our  lives  depend  upon  it." 

The  third  attempt,  according  to  popular  superstition,  should  be  successful 
It  was  so  with  us.  The  ckmp  caught,  and  the  string  hung  dangling  down- 
wards. Mounting  again  upon  my  comrade's  shoulders,  I  grasped  the  thong 
high  up,  to  test  its  hold.  It  was  secure  ;  and,  cautioning  Raoul  to  hold  fast, 
lest  the  hook  might  be  detached  by  my  vibration,  I  climbed  up,  and  seized 
hold  of  the  beam.  •  By  this,  I  squeezed  myself  through  the  roof.  I  crawled 
cautiously  along  the  azotea*  which,  like  all  others  in  Spanish  houses,  was 
flat,  and  bordered  by  a  low  parapet  of  mason-work.  I  peeped  over  the  para- 
pet, looking  down  into  the  street.  It  was  night,  and  I  could  see  no  one  be- 
low; but  up' against  the  sky  upon  distant  battlements,  I  could  distinguish 
armed  soldiers,  busy  around  their  guns.  These  blazed  forth  at  intervals, 
throwing  their  sulphury  glare  over  the  city. 

I  returned  to  assist  Raoul;  but,  impatient  of  my  delay,  he  had  alrea-iy 
mounted ;  and  was  dragging  up  the  thong  after  him. 

We  crawled  from  roof  to  roof,  looking  for  a  dark  spot  to  descend  into  the 
street.  None  of  the  houses,  in  the  range  of  our  prison,  were  more  than  one 
story  ;  and,  after  passing  several,  we  let  ourselves  down  into  a  narrow  alley. 
It  was  still  early,  and  the  people  were  running  to  and  fro,  amidst  the  frightful 
scenes  of  the  bombardment.  The  shrieks  of  women  were  in  our  ears,  mingled 
with  the  shouts  of  men ;  the  groans  of  the  wounded,  and  the  fierce  yelling  of 
an  excited  rabble.  The  constant  whizzing  of  bombs  filled  the  air,  and  para- 
pets were  hurled  down.  A  round  shot  struck  the  cupola  of  a  church,  as  wo 
passed  nearly  under  it,  and  the  ornaments  of  ages  came  tumbling  down, 
blocking  up  the  thoroughfare.  We  clambered  over  the  ruins,  and  went  on. 
There  was  no  need  of  our  crouching  into  dark  shadows.  No  one  thought  of 
observing  us  now. 

"  We  are  near  the  house — will  you  take  him  along  ?"  inquired  Raoul, 
referring  to  the  object  of  our  enterprise. 

"  By  all  means !  sliow  me  the  place." 

I^aoul  pointed  to  a  large  house,  with  portals,  and  a  great  door  in  the 


*  Tho  name  of  the  flat  roufs  oi  SpanLsh  houses.  These  roofs  are,  osuallj,  enclosure* 
aarroanded  by  a  wall,  or  parapet,  that  separates  one  from  another.  Thoy  are  tiled,  but 
niore  opually  pla.storod  with  cement  that  casts  off  tho  water  into  gutters  along  the  sides. 
They  form  a  pleasant  resort  when  tho  sun  is  low,  and  oapocially  when  the  owner  ha?  had 
Um  good  taate  to  stock  thoui  with  plants  and  Qower-pota. 


TUK    KTFLK    UANGERS.  159 

"  There,  Captain — there  it  is." 

"  Go  under  that  shadow,  and  wait.     I  shall  be  better  alone." 

This  was  said  in  a  whisper.     !My  companion  did  as  directed. 

I  approached  the  great  door,  and  knocked  boldly. 

"  Qiiieti  .^"  cried  the  porter  within  the  sagiian. 

"  Yo,-'  I  responded. 

[This  is  the  exact  dialogue  which  passes  before  you  can  gain  admission  to 
a  Mexican  dwelling ;  and,  although  the  "  Yo,"  which  simply  signifies  I,  gives 
no  very  definite  information  to  the  porters  within,  it  always  operates  as  an 
"  Open  Sesame."  It  is  certainly  more  grammatical  than  the  answer  ''  Me,'' 
BO  frequently  given  to  "  Who's  there?"  by  people  of  a  fair  respectability  in 
our  land.     Saguan  is  the  gateway,  or  entrance,  to  a  Spanish  house.] 

The  door  was  opened  slowly,  and  with  caution. 

"  Is  the  Sefiorito  Narcisso  withia  ?"  I  inquired. 

Th'e  man  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"  Tell  him,  a  friend  wishes  to  speak  with  him." 

After  a  moment's  hesitation,  the  porter  dragged  himself  lazily  up  the  stone 
steps.  In  a  few  seconds,  the  boy — a  fine,  bold-looking  lad,  whom  I  had  seen 
during  our  trial — came  leaping  down.     He  started  on  recognising  me. 

"  Hush  !"  I  whispered,  signing  to  him  to  be  silent.  "  Take  leave  of  your 
friends,  and  meet  me  in  ten  minutes  behind  the  church  of  La  Magdalena." 

"  Why,  Scnor,"  inquired  the  boy  without  listening,  "  how  have  you  got  out 
of  prison  1    I  have  just  been  to  the  governor  on  your  behalf,  and — " 

"  No  matter  how,"  I  replied,  interrupting  him ;  "  follow  my  directions — 
remember  your  mother  and  sisters  are  suffering," 

"  I  will  come,"  said  the  boy  resolutely. 

"  Hasta  luego  .'"  [Literally,  until  a  little  while  —  a  beautiful  form  of 
expression  much  used  in  Spanish,  for  which  we  have  no  synonyme  in  English. 
Hasta  manaJia,  hasta  la  tarde — until  the  morning,  until  the  evening — imph^ 
that  the  person  using  these  expressions  will  not  see  you  until  the  morning  or 
evening ;  and  hasta  despucs,  until  hereafter,  means  that  the  time  when  you 
may  come  together  again  is  unknown,  or  indefinite.] 

We  parted.  I  rejoined  Raoul,  and  we  walked  on  towards  La  Magdalena. 
We  passed  through  the  street  Vhere  we  had  been  captured  on  the  preceding 
night,  but  it  was  so  altered,  we  should  not  have  known  it.  Fragments  of 
walls  were  thrown  across  the  path ;  and  here  and  there  lay  masses  of  bricks 
and  mortar,  freshly  torn  down. 


ICO  TIM',    RTFF.K    RAXP.KRS. 

Neither  patrol  nor  sentry  thought  of  troubhng  us  now ;  and  our  strange 
appearance  did  not  strike  the  attention  of  the  passengers.  "We  reached  the 
church,  and  Raoul  descended,  leaving  mo  to  wait  for  the  boy,  The  latter  was 
true  to  his  word,  and  his  slight  figure  soon  appeared  rounding  the  corner. 
We  entered  the  subterranean  passage,  but  the  tide  was  still  high,  and  we  had 
to  wait  for  the  ebb.  This  came  at  length,  and.  clambering  over  the  rocks,  we 
entered  the  surf,  and  waded  as  before.  After  an  hour's  toU,  we  reached 
Punta  Hornos  ;  and  a  little  beyond,  I  was  enabled  to  hail  one  of  our  own 
pickets,  and  pass  the  lines  in  safety. 

At  ten  o'clock,  I  was  in  my  own  tent ;  just  twenty-four  hours  from  the 
time  I  had  left  it ;  and,  with  the  exception  of  Clayley,  not  one  of  my  brother 
officers  knew  anything  of  our  adventure. 

Cla^'ey  and  I  agreed  to  "mount"  a  party  the  next  night,  and  carry  tb« 
boy  to  his  friends.  This  we  accordingly  did,  stealing  out  of  camp  after  tatoo 
It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  the  rejoicing  of  our  new  acquaintances— 
the  gratitude  lavishly  expressed — the  smiles  of  love  that  thanked  us. 

We  could  have  repeated  our  visits  nightly  but  the  guerilleros  now 
swarmed  in  the  back  country  ;  and  small  parties,  straggUng  fiom  camp,  were 
cut  off  daily.  It  was  necessary,  therefore,  for  my  friend  and  myself  to  chafu 
under  a  prudent  impatience ;  and  wait  for  the  tall  of  Ver»  Crui. 


CHAPTER   XXXI 

A   SHOT   IN   THE   DARK. 

The  City  of  the  "  True  Cross"  fell  upon  the  29th  of  March ;  and  the  Ameri- 
•^n  flag  waved  over  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa.  The  enemy's  troops 
marched  out  upon  parole ;  most  of  them  taking  their  way  to  their  distant 
homes,  upon  the  table-lands  of  the  Andes. 

The  great  body  of  the  Mexican  population  is  to  be  found  on  the  elevated 
plains  and  valleys,  the  tiemra  templada,  as  these  districts  are  called.  The 
vegetation  of  the  tiei^a  templada  is  entirely  distinct  from  that  of  the  tierra 
caliente,  and  Nature  wears  a  different  aspect.  Tierra  fria  is  a  title  given  to 
mountainous  tracts  that  rise  still  higher  than  the  table-lands. 

The  American  garrison  entered  the  town ;  but  the  body  of  our  army 
encamped  upon  the  green  plains  to  the  south. 

Here  we  remained  for  several  days,  awaiting  the  order  to  march  into  the 
interior. 

A  report  had  reached  us  that  the  Mexican  forces,  under  the  celebrated 
Santa  Anna,  were  concentracing  at  Puente  Nacional ;  but,  shortly  after,  it  was 
ascertained  that  the  enemy  would  make  his  next  stand  in  the  pass  of  the 
Cerro  Gordo,  about  half  way  between  Vera  Cruz  and  the  mountains. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  city,  we  were  relieved  from  severe  duty ;  and 
Clayley  and  I,  taking  advantage  of  this,  resolved  upon  paying  another  stolen 
visit  to  our  friends. 

Several  parties  of  light  horse  had  been  sent  out  to  scour  the  country  ; 
and  it  had  been  reported  that  the  guerilleros  had  gone  farther  up  towarda 
the  Puente  Nacional.     We  did  not  anticipate  any  danger  from  that  source. 


162  THE    RIFLK    RANGERS. 

We  started  after  nightfall,  taking  with  us  throe  of  our  best  men — Lincoln 
Chane  and  Raoul.  The  boy  Jack  was  also  of  the  party.  We  were  mounted 
on  such  horses  as  could  be  had.  The  Major  had  kept  his  word  with  me  ;  and 
I  bestrode  the  black — a  splendid  thorough-bred  Arab. 

It  was  a  clear  moonlight,  and,  as  we  rode  along,  we  could  not  help  noticing 
many  changes.  War  had  left  its  black  mark  upon  the  objects  around.  The 
ranches  by  the  road  were  tenartless,  many  of  them  wrecked — not  a  few 
entirely  gone — whe-3  they  had  stood,  a  ray  of  black  ashes  marking  the  out- 
lines of  their  walls.  Some  were  represented  by  a  heap  of  half-burned  rubbish, 
still  smoking  and  smouldering  ! 

Various  pieces  of  household  furniture  lay  along  the  path,  torn  or  broken—, 
articles  of  little  value — strewed  by  the  wanton  hand  of  the  ruthless  robber. 
Here  a petate,  or  a  palm  hat — there  a  broken  olla.  A  stringless  bandolon* 
the  fra-gments  of  a  guitar,  crushed  under  the  angry  heel,  or  some  flimsy  arti 
cles  of  female  dress,  cuffed  into  the  dust.  Leaves  of  torn  books — Misas,  or 
lives  of  the  Santissima  Mana—thQ  labors  of  some  zealous  padre.  Old 
paintings  of  the  saints,  Guadalupe,  Remedios,  and  Dolores — of  the  niiio  of 
Guatepec — rudely  torn  from  the  walls,  and  perforated  by  the  sacrilegious 
bayonet— flung  into  the  road — kicked  from  foot  to  foot — the  dishonored 
Penates  of  a  conquered  people  ! 

A  painful  presentiment  began  to  harass  me.  Wild  stories  had  lately  circu- 
lated through  the  army — stories  of  the  misconduct  of  straggling  parties  of  our 
soldiers,  in  the  back  country.  These  had  stolen  from  camp,  or  gone  out 
under  the  pretext  of  "  beef-hunting." 

Hitherto,  I  had  felt  no  apprehension,  not  believing  that  any  small  party 
would  carry  their  foraging  to  so  distant  a  point  as  the  house  of  my  friends. 
I  knew  that  any  detachment,  commanded  by  an  officer,  would  act  in  a  proper 
manner ;  and,  indeed,  any  respectable  body  of  American  soldiers,  without  an 
officer  ;  but  in  all  armies — in  war  time — there  are  robbers,  who  have  thrown 

•  Aa  inBtrument  not  unlike  the  guitar.  It  might  bo  termed  national  in  Mexico,  as 
there  is  hardly  a  cottage  that  cannot  boast  of  a  bandolon.  There  is  hardly  a  cottage, 
either,  that  cannot  boast  of  half  a  dozen  paintings,  and  many  of  them  far  from  being 
either  rade  or  new. 

t  A  soldier — I  regret  to  add — belonging  to  my  own  regiment,  out  upon  the  sooufc,  Crpd 
upon  a  peasant  out  of  sheer  wantonness  and  cruelty.  The  bullet  shivered  the  poor  fel- 
low's arm,  and  it  required  amputation  at  the  elbow  to  save  his  life.  The  cruel  act  grcatlj 
exasperated  the  paisanos,  and  afterwards,  whenever  a  soldier  fell  into  their  hands,  bt 
was  murdered  and  mutilated  in  the  manner  described  in  the  text. 


THE    RIFT .10    RANGERS,  163 

themselves  into  the  ranks,  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  take  advantage  of  the 
license  of  a  stolen  foray. 

We  were  within  less  than  a  league  of  the  ranche ;  and  still  the  evidence  of 
fuin  and  plunder  continued.  The  evidence,  too,  of  a  retaliatory  vengeance ; 
for,  on  entering  a  glade,  the  mutilated  body  of  a  soldier  lay  across  the  path. 
He  was  on  his  back,  glaring  with  open  eyes  upon  the  moon.  Ilis  tongue  and 
heart  were  cut  out ;  and  his  left  arm  had  been  struck  oif  at  the  elbow-joint  If 
Not  ten  steps  beyond  this,  we  passed  another  one,  similarly  disfigured.  We 
were  now  on  the  neutral  ground. 

As  we  entered  the  forest,  my  forebodings  became  painfully  oppressive,  I 
imparted  them  to  Clayley.  My  friend  had  been  occupied  with  similar 
thoughts. 

"  It  is  just  possible,"  said  he,  "  that  nobody  has  found  the  way.  By  heav- 
ens !"  he  added,  with  an  earnestness  unusual  in  his  manner,  "  I  have  been  far 
more  uneasy  about  the  other  side — those  half  brigands,  and  that  hellish  vil- 
lain, Dubrosc !" 

"  On !  on !"  I  ejaculated,  digging  the  spurs  into  my  hor&e's  flanks,  who 
sprang  forward  at  a  gallop.  I  could  say  no  more^  Clayley  had  given  utter- 
ance to  my  very  thoughts  ;  and  a  painful  feeling  shot  through  my  heart. 

My  companions  dashed  after  me,  and  we  pressed  through  the  trees  at  a 
reckless  pace. 

We  entered  an  opening.  Raoul,  who  was  then  riding  in  the  advance,  sud- 
denly checked  his  horse,  waving  us  to  halt.     We  did  so. 

"  What  is  it,  Raoul  ?"    I  asked  in  a  whisper. 

"  Something  entered  the  thicket.  Captain." 

''  At  what  point  ?" 

"  There,  to  the  left ;"  and  the  Frenchman  pointed  in  the  direction.  "  I  did 
not  see  it  well ;  it  might  have  been  a  stray  animal." 

'•  I  seed  it,  Cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  closing  up  ;  "  it  wur  a  mustang." 

"  Mounted,  think  you  ?" 

"  I  aint  confident ;  I  only  seed  its  hips.  We  were  a  gwine  too  fast  to  get 
a  good  sight  on  the  critter ;  but  it  wur  a  mustang.  I  seed  that,  clar  as 
daylight." 

I  sate  for  a  moment,  hesitating. 

"I  kin  tell  yer  \^ether  it  wur  mounted,  Cap'n,"  continued  the  hunter,  "if 
yer'U  let  me  slide  down,  and  take  a  squint  at  the  critter's  tracks." 

"  It  is  out  of  our  way.  Perhaps  you  had  better,"  I  added,  after  a  little 
reflection.  "  Raoul,  you  and  Chane  dismount,  and  go  with  the  sergeant. 
Hold  their  horses.  Jack !" 


164  TnE    RIFLE   KANGKKS 

"  If  yer'Il  not  object,  Cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  addressing  me  in  a  whisper,  "  I'd 
rayther  go  'ithout  kumpny.  Thar  aint  two  men  I'd  like,  in  a  tight  fix,  bot- 
ter'n  Rowl  and  Chane ;  but  I  hev  done  a  smart  chance  o'  trackin'  in  my  time 
an'  I  allers  gets  along  better  when  I'm  by  myself." 

"  Very  well,  sergeant ;  as  you  wish  it,  go  alone — we  ys^ill  wait  for  you." 

The  hunter  dismounted,  and,  having  carefully  examined  his  rifle,  strode  off 
in  a  direction  nearly  opposite  to  that  where  the  object  had  been  seen !  I  was 
about  to  call  after  him,  impatient  to  continue  our  journey ;  but,  reflecting  » 
moment,  I  concluded  it  was  better  to  leave  him  to  his  "  instincts."  In  five 
minutes,  he  had  disappeared,  having  entered  the  chapparal. 

We  sate  in  our  saddles  for  half  an  hour — not  without  feelings  of  impatience. 
I  was  beginning  to  fear  that  some  accident  had  happened  to  our  comrade, 
when  we  heard  the  faint  crack  of  a  rifle,  but  in  a  direction  nearly  opnosite  to 
that  which  Lincoln  had  taken  ! 

"  It's  the  sergeant's  rifle.  Captain,"  said  Chane. 

"  Forward  !"  I  shouted ;  and  we  dashed  into  the  thicket,  in  the  direction 
whence  the  report  came.  We  had  ridden  about  a  hundred  yards  through  the 
chapparal,  when  we  met  Lincoln  coming  up  with  his  rifle  shouldered. 

"WeU?"  lasked. 

"  'Twur  mounted,  Cap'n — 'taint  now." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  sergeant  ?" 

"  That  the  mustang  hcd  a  yeller-belly  on  his  back  ;  and  that  he  haint  got 
no'er  a  one  now,  as  I  knows  on.    He  got  clar  away  from  me — that  is  the 
wustang.     The  yeller- belly  didn't." 
•  What :  you  haven't—  ?" 

"  But  I  hev,  Captain.    I  had  good  soun  reason." 

"  What  reason  ?"  I  demanded. 

"  In  the  first  place,  the  feller  wur  a  gurillye  ;  and,  in  the  next,  he  wur  an 
outpost  picket." 

"  How  know  you  this  ?" 

"  Wal,  Cap'n,  I  struck  his  trail  on  the  edge  of  the  thicket.  I  knowed  ho 
hedn't  kum  fur,  as  I  looked  out  for  feet  whar  we  crossed  the  crik  bottom,  an 
seed  none.  I  tuk  the  back  track,  an  soon  come  up  with  his  dam  under  a  big 
buttonwood.  He  had  been  thar  some  time,  for  the  ground  wur  stomped  like 
a  bullock-penn." 

"  Well  ?"  said  I,  impatient  to  liear  the  result. 

"  I  follcred  him  up  'till  I  seed  him  leaning  forard  on  his  horse,  clost  to  the 
track  wo  oughter  take.  From  this  I  suspicioned  him,  but  gettin  a  Icetlo 
closter,  I  seed  his  gun  and  fixins  strapped  to  the  saddle.    So  I  tuk  a  sight 


THE    RIFLK    KAN(;!:K<.  16o 

and  whummelled  him.  The  darned  mustang  got  away  with  his  traps.  This 
year's  the  only  thing  worth  takin  from  his  carcage, — it  wudn't  do  much  harm 
to  a  grizzly  bar." 

"  Good  Heaven !"  I  exclaimed,  grasping  the  ghttering  object  which  the 
hunter  held  towards  me.     What  have  you  done  ?" 

It  was  a  silver-handled  stiletto.  I  recognised  the  weapon.  I  had  given  it 
to  the  boy  Narcisso  ! 

"  No  harm,  I  reckin,  Cap'n  ?" 

"  The  man,— the  Mexican  ?  How  did  he  look, — what  like  ?"  I  demanded, 
anxiously. 

"Like?"  repeated  the  hunter.  "Why,  Cap'n,  I  ud  call  him  as  ugly  a 
skunk  as  yer  kin  skeer  up  any whar, — 'ceptin  it  mout  be  among  the  Flatheads ; 
but  yer  kin  see  for  yerself, — he's  clost  by." 

I  leaped  from  my  horse,  and  followed  Lincoln  through  the  bushes.  Twenty 
paces  brought  us  to  the  object  of  our  search,  upon  the  border  of  a  small  glade. 
The  body  lay  upon  its  back,  where  it  had  been  flung  by  the  rearing  mustang. 
The  moon  was  shining  full  upon  the  face.  I  stooped  down  to  examine  it.  A 
single  glance  was  sufficient.  I  had  never  seen  the  features  before.  They 
were  coarse  and  swarth,  and  the  long  black  locks  were  matted  and  woolly 
He  was  a  Zambo,  and,  from  the  half-military  equipments  that  clung  around 
his  body,  I  saw  that  he  had  been  a  guerillero.     Lincoln  was  right. 

"  Wal,  Cap'n,"  said  he,  after  I  had  concluded  my  examination  of  the 
corpse  ;  "  ain't  he  a  picter  ?" 

"  You  think  he  was  waiting  for  us  ?" 

"  For  us,  or  some  other  game, — that's  sartin." 

"  There's  a  road  branches  off  here  to  Medellin,"  said  Kaoul  commg  up. 

"  It  could  not  have  been  for  us, — they  had  no  knowledge  of  our  mtention 
to  come  out." 

"  Possible  enough.  Captain,"  remarked  Claylcy,  in  a  whisper  to  me.  '  That 
villain  would  naturally  expect  us  to  return  here.  lie  will  have  learned  all 
that  has  passed — Narcisso's  escape — our  visits.  You  know  he  would  watch 
^ight  and  day  to  trap  either  of  us." 

"  Oh,  heavens !"  I  exclaimed,  as  the  memory  of  this  man  came  over  mf. 
"  Why  did  I  not  bring  more  men  ?  Clayley,  we  must  go  on  now.  Slowly 
Ilaoul, — slowly,  and  with  caution, — do  you  hear?" 

The  Frenchman  struck  into  the  path  that  led  to  the  ranche,  and  rode  silently 
forward.  We  followed  in  single  file,  Lincoln  keeping  a  look-out  some  paces 
in  the  rear. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

CAPTDRED    BY    GOERILLEROS. 

Wi!  emerged  from  the  forest,  and  entered  the  fields.  All  silent.  No  sign, 
or  sound,  of  a  suspicious  nature.     The  house  still  standing  and  safe. 

"  The  guerillero  must  have  been  waiting  for  some  one,  whom  he  expected 
by  the  Medellin  road.     Ride  on,  Raoul !" 

"  Captain,"  said  the  man  in  a  whisper,  and  halting  at  the  end  of  the  guarda« 
laya. 

«  Well  -?" 

''  Some  one  passed  out  at  the  other  end." 

"  Some  of  the  domestics,  no  doubt — you  may  ride  on,  and — never  juinJ,  I 
will  take  the  advance  myself." 

I  brushed  past,  and  kept  up  the  guarda-raya.  In  a  few  minutes,  we  had 
reached  the  lower  end  of  the  pond,  where  we  halted.  Here  we  dismounted  j 
and,  leaving  the  men,  Clayley  and  I  stole  cautiously  forward.  "We  could  see 
no  one ;  though  everything  about  the  house  looked  as  usual. 

«  Are  they  a-bcd,  think  you  ?"  asked  Clayley. 

"  No,  it  is  too  early — perhaps  below,  at  supper." 

'•Heaven  send  !  we  shall  be  most  happy  to  join  theui.  1  am  as  hungry  as 
a  wolf." 

We  approached  the  house.     Still  all  silent. 

"  Where  are  the  dogs  ?" 

We  entered. 

"  Strange— no  one  stirring.     Ha  !  the  furniture  gone  !" 

We  passed  into  the  porch  in  the  rear ;  and  approached  the  stairway. 


THE    KIFLE    KANGrCIlS  167 

"  Let  us  go  below — can  you  see  any  light  ?" 

I  stooped  and  looked  down.  I  could  neither  hear  nor  see  any  signs  of  life. 
I  turned,  and  was  gazing  up  at  my  friend  in  wonderment,  when  my  eye  was 
attracted  by  a  strange  movement  upon  the  low  branches  of  the  olive  trees. 
The  next  moment,  a  dozen  forms  dropped  to  the  ground ;  and,  before  wo 
could  draw  sword  or  pistol,  myself  and  comrade  were  bound  hand  and  foot, 
and  flung  upon  our  backs  ! 

At  the  same  instant,  we  heard  a  scuflBe  down  by  the  pond.  Two  or  three 
shots  were  fired ;  and  a  few  minutes  after,  a  crowd  of  men  came  up,  bringing 
with  them  Chane,  Lincoln  and  Eaoul,  as  prisoners. 

We  were  all  dragged  out  into  the  open  ground  in  front  of  the  ranche,  whert 
our  horses  were  also  brought  and  picketed. 

Here  we  lay  upon  our  backs — a  dozen  guerillcros  remaining  to  guard  us. 
The  others  had  gone  back  among  the  olives,  where  we  could  hear  them  laugh- 
ing, talking  and  yelling.  We  could  see  nothing  of  their  movements,  as  we 
were  tightly  bound,  and  as  helpless  as  if  under  the  influence  of  the  night- 
mare. 

Lincoln  was  a  littlo  in  front  of  me,  I  could  perceive  that  they  had  doubly 
jound  him,  in  consequence  of  the  fierce  resistance  he  had  made.  He  had 
killed  one  of  the  guerilleros.  He  was  banded  and  strapped  all  over  like  a 
mummy,  and  ho  lay  gnashing  his  teeth,  and  foaming  with  fury.  Raoul  and 
the  Irishman  appeared  to  take  things  more  easily,  cfr  rather  more  recklessly. 

"  I  wonder  if  they  are  going  to  hang  us  to  night,  or  keep  us  till  morning. 
What  do  you  think,  Chane  ?"  asked  the  Frenchman,  laughing  as  he  spoke. 

"Be  the  Crass!  they'll  lose  no  time — yez  may  depind  on  that  same. 
There's  not  an  ounce  ov  tinder  mercy  in  their  black  hearts  ;  yez  may  sware 
till  that,  from  the  way  this  eelskin  cuts." 

"  I  wonder,  Murt,"  said  Raoul,  speaking  from  sheer  recklessness,  "  if  Saint 
Patrick  couldn't  help  us  a  bit.  You  have  him  around  your  neck,  haven't 
youl" 

"  Be  the  powers  !  Rowl,  though  yez  be  only  jokin,  I've  a  good  mind  to  thry 
his  holiness  upon  thim.  I've  got  both  him  and  the  mother  undher  me  jacket, 
av  I  could  only  rache  thim." 

"  Good  !"  cried  the  other.     "  Do !" 

"  It's  aisy  for  yez  to  say  '  Do  !'  when  I  can't  budge  my  little  finger." 

"Never  mind.  I'll  arrange  that,"  answered  Baoul.  '^Hola!  stfiorP' 
fihouted  he  to  one  of  the  guerilleros. 

''  Qiiien  ?"  said  the  man  approaching. 


IQ^  -in'-     KIFr.iC    liANUKH.'^. 

■'  Usled  su  misino,"^  (Yourself,)  replied  llaoul 
"  QuecosaV  (What  is  it?) 

''This  gentleman,"  said  Raoul— still  speaking  in  Spanish,  and  nodding 
towards  Chane — "  has  a  pocket  full  of  monej%" 

A  hint  upon  that  head  was  sufficient ;  and  the  guerilleros,  who  seemed  to 
have  overlooked  this  part  of  their  duty,  immediately  commenced  rifling  our 
pockets,  ripping  them  open  with  their  long  knives.  They  were  not  a  great 
deal  the  richer  for.  their  pains  ;  our  joint  purse  yielding  about  twenty  dollars 
Upon  Chane  there  was  no  money  found;  and  the  man,  whom  Raoul  had 
deceived,  repaid  the  latter,  by  a  curse,  and  a  couple  of  kicks. 

The  Saint,  however,  turned  up,  attached  to  the  Irishman's  neck  by  a 
leathern  string ;  and  along  with  him  a  small  crucifix,  and  a  pewter  image  of 
the  Virgin  Mary. 

This  appeared  to  please  the  guerilleros ;  and  one  of  them,  bending  over  the 
Irishman,  slackened  his  fastening — still,  however,  leaving  him  bound. 

"  Thank  yer  honor,'  said  Chane ;  '•  that's  dacent  of  ye.  That's  what 
Misther  O'Connell  wud  call  amaylioraiion.  I'm  a  hape  asier  now." 
"  Mucho  bueno  ?"  said  the  man,  -jodding  and  laughing. 
["The  expression  viuy  bueno  (very  good)  was  corrupted  by  the  soldiers  to 
mticJiO  bueno,  which  is,  of  course,  ungramraatical.  As  it  was  one  of  the  ear- 
iest  phrases  caught  up  by  the  Americans,  it  was  frequently  used,  with  many 
Bmiles  and  nods,  to  express  a  good  feeling  between  them  and  the  peasants  at 
the  country.     It  would  correspond  to  a  Frenchman's  "  ver  good."] 

"  Oh  be  my  sowl !  yes — mucho  bueno.  But  I'd  have  no  objecshun  if  yet 
houner  wud  make  it  miccJio  bcttero.  Could'nt  yez  just  take  a  little  turn  alf 
rae  wrist  here — it  cuts  like  a  rayzyer?" 

I  could  not  restrain  myself  from  laughing,  in  which  Clayley  and  RaoiA 
joined  me  ;  and  we  formed  a  chorus  that  seemed  to  astonish  our  captors.   Lin- 
coln alone  preserved  his  suUenness. 
He  had  not  spoken  a  word. 

Little  Jack  had  been  placed  upon  the  ground  near  the  hunter.  lie  was 
but  loosely  tied,  our  captors  not  thinking  it  worth  while  to  trouble  themselves 
about  so  diminutive  a  subject.  I  had  noticed  him  wriggling  about,  and  using 
all  his  Indian  craft  to  undo  his  fastenings;  but  he  appeared  not  to  have 
succeeded,  as  he  lay  perfectly  still  again. 

While  the  guerilleros  were  occupied  with  Chane  and  his  saints,  I  observed, 
the  boy  roll  himself  over  and  over,  until  he  lay  close  np  against  the  hunter. 
One  of  the  guerilleros  noticing  this,  picked  Jack  up  by  the  waist-belt,  and, 
holding  him  at  arm's  xcngth,  shouted  out : 


THK    RIFLK    KAMGlCLo.  161' 

'■'■  Mira,  camarados !  que  briboncito  P''  (Look,  comrades  what  a  little 
rascal !) 

Amidst  the  laughing  of  the  guerilleros,  Jack  was  swung  out,  and  fell  in  a 
bed  of  aloes,  where  we  saw  no  more  of  him.  As  he  was  bound,  we  concluded 
that  he  could  not  help  himself,  and  was  lying  where  he  had  been  thrown. 

^ly  attention  was  called  from  this  incident,  by  an  exclamation  from  Chane  : 

"  Och !  blood,  turf,  and  murther !  If  there  isn't  that  Frinch  schoundrel 
Durbrosc !" 

I  looked  up.     The  man  was  standing  over  us. 

"  Ah,  Monsieur  le  Capitaine .'"  cried  he,  in  a  sneering  voice,  "  commetu 
v>ous  portez-vous  ?  You  came  out  dove-hunting,  eh  ?  The  birds,  you  see. 
are  not  in  the  c^t." 

Had  there  been  not  a  thread  around  my  body,  I  could  not  have  moved  at 
that  moment.  I  felt  cold  and  rigid  as  marble.  A  thousand  agonizing  tlioughts 
crowded  upon  me  at  once — my  doubts,  my  fears  on  her  account,  drowning  all 
ideas  of  personal  danger.  I  could  have  died  at  that  moment,  and,  without  u 
groan,  to  have  easured  her  safety. 

There  was  something  so  fiendish,  so  utterly  hellish,  in  the  character  of  ttii^ 
man — a  polished  brutality,  too — that  caused  me  to  fear  the  worst. 

"  Oh,  Heaven  !"  I  muttered ;  "  in  the  power  of  such  a  man  !" 

"  Ho  !"  cried  Dubrosc,  advancing  a  pace  or  two,  and  seizing  my  horse  by 
the  lariat,  "  a  splendid  mount !  An  Arab,  as  I  live  !  Look  here,  Yafiez !"  he 
continued,  addressing  a  guerillero  who  accompanied  him,  "  I  claim  this,  if  you 
have  no  objection." 

"  Take  him  !"  said  the  other,  who  was  evidently  the  leader  of  the  party. 

•'  Thank  yon.  And  you.  Monsieur  le  Capitaine,"  he  added,  ironically  turn- 
ing to  me,  "  thank  you  for  this  handsome  present.  He  will  just  replace  my 
brave  Moro,  for  whose  loss  I  expect  I  am  indebted  to  you,  you  great  brute  !— 
sacre  /" 

The  last  words  were  addressed  to  Lincoln,  and,  as  though  maddened  by  the 
memory  of  La  Virgen,  he  approached  the  latter,  and  kicked  him  fiercely  in 
the  side. 

The  wanton  foot  had  scarcely  touched  his  ribs,  when  the  hunter  sprang  up 
as  if  by  galvanic  action — the  thongs  flying  from  his  body  in  fifty  spiral  frag- 
ments !  With  a  bound  he  leaped  to  his  rifle ;  and,  clutching  it — he  knew  it 
was  empty — struck  the  astonished  Frenchman  a  blow  upon  the  head.  The 
latter  fell  heavily  to  the  earth.  In  an  instant,  a  dozen  knives  and  swords 
were  aimed  at  the  hunter's  throat.  Sweeping  his  rifle  around  him,  he  cleared 
an  opening,  and  dashing  past  his  foes  with  a  wild  yell,  bounded  off  through 


170  'I  H  M    1  a  K  L  V,    KAN  (J  K  RtJ . 

the  shrubbery  !  The  guerilleros  followed,  screaming  with  rage ;  and  we 
could  hear  an  occasional  shot,  as  they  continued  the  pm-suit  into  the  distant 
woods.     Dubrosc  was  carried  back  into  the  ranche,  apparently  lifeless  ! 

We  were  still  wondering  how  our  comrade  had  untied  himself,  when  one  of 
the  gueiilleros,  hfdng  a  piece  of  the  thong,  exclaiused : 

"  Carajo  !  ha  cortado  el  briboncito  /"  (the  littb  rascal  has  cut  it) ;  and 
the  man  darted  into  the  aloes,  in  search  of  Little  Jack.  It  was  with  us  a 
moment  of  fearful  suspense.  We  expected  to  see  poor  Jack  sacrificed 
instantly.     We  watched  the  man  with  intense  emotion,  as  he  ran  to  and  fro 

At  length,  he  threw  up  his  arms  with  a  gesture  of  surprise,  calling  out,  at 
the  same  time : 

"  Por  todos  Santos — sefue  .'"  (by  all  the  saints  !  he's  gone.) 

"  Hurrah  !"  cried  Chane,  "  holies — such  a  gossin  as  that  boy  !" 

Several  of  the  guerilleros  dived  into  the  bed  of  aloes  ;  but  their  search  was 
in  vain. 

We  were  now  separated,  so  that  we  could  no  longer  converse,  and  were 
more  strictly  watched — two  sentries  standing  over  each  of  us.  We  spent 
about  an  hour  in  this  way.  Straggling  parties,  at  intervals,  came  back  from 
the  pursuit ;  and  we  could  gather,  from  what  we  overheard,  that  neither  Lin- 
coln nor  Jack  had  yet  been  retaken. 

We  could  hear  talking  in  the  rear  of  the  ranche ;  and  we  felt  that  our  Hito 
was  being  determined.  It  was  plain  Dubrosc  was  not  in  command  of  the 
party.  Had  he  been  so,  we  should  never  have  been  carried  beyond  the  olive 
grove.  It  appeared  we  were  to  be  hung  elsewhere.  A  movement  was  visible 
that  betokened  departure.  Our  horses  were  taken  away,  and  saddled  mules 
were  led  out  in  front  of  the  ranche.  Upon  these  we  were  set,  and  strapped 
tightly  to  the  saddles.  A  serape  was  passed  over  each  of  us,  and  we  were 
blinded  by  tdpojos,  A  bugle  then  sounded  the  "  forward  !"  We  could  hear 
a  confusion  of  noises — the  prancing  of  many  hoofs — and  the  next  moment  we 
felt  ourselves  moving  along  at  a  hurried  pace  through  the  woods. 

The  aerape,  above  referred  to,  is  a  species  of  motle^'-colorcd  blanket,  neaily 
square,  with  a  slit  in  the  centre  to  admit  the  head.  An}'  one  who  has  seen  a 
Mexican  of  the  lower  classes  without  his  serape,  has  seen  something  which 
has  escaped  my  observation.  These  scrapes  cost  from  two  to  two  hundretl 
dollars,  and  it  would  be  difficult  for  a  person  not  acquainted  with  the  article 
to  see  any  great  dilTerence,  either  in  size  or  beauty,  between  the  one  at  two 
dollars  and  that  costing  two  hundred  ! 


J 


/ 

/ 

1/ 

/ 

CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

A    BLIND    BIDE. 

We  rode  all  night.  The  mule-blinds,  although  preventing  us  from  seeing 
a  single  object,  proved  to  be  au  advantage.  They  saved  our  eyes  and  faces 
from  the  thorny  claws  of  the  acacia  and  mezquite.  Without  hands  to  fend 
them  off,  these  would  have  torn  us  badly,  as  we  could  feel  them,  from  time  to 
time,  penetrating  even  the  hard  leather  of  the  tapojos.  Our  thongs  chafed  us, 
and  we  suffered  great  pain  from  the  monotonous  motion.  Our  road  lay 
througn  thick  woods.  This  we  could  perceive  from  the  constant  rustle  of  the 
leaves,  and  the  crackling  of  branches,  as  the  cavalcade  passed  on. 

We  travelled  over  many  hills — steep  and  difficult,  we  could  tell  from  the 
attitudes  of  our  animals.  There  was  no  passing  or  re-passing.  From  th\s  I 
;oncIuded  we  were  journeying  along  a  narrow  road,  and  in  single  file. 

Raoul  was  directly  in  front  of  me,  and  we  could  converse  at  times. 

"  Where  do  you  think  they  are  taking  us,  Raoul  7"  I  inquired,  speaking  in 
French. 

"  To  Cenobio's  Hacienda.     I  hope  so  at  least. 

"  Why  do  you  hope  so  ?" 

"  Because  we  shall  stand  some  chance  for  our  lives.  Cenobia  is  a  noble 
fellow." 

You  know  him  then  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain ;  I  have  helped  him  a  httle  in  the  contraband  trade." 

"  A  smuggler,  is  he  ?" 

''  Why,  in  this  country,  it  is  hai'dly  fair  to  call  it  by  so  harsh  a  name,  as 
the  government  itself  dips  out  of  the  same  dish.     Smuggling  here,  as  in  mos^ 


172  TllK    KIFl.K    KANGEKS. 

Other  countries,  should  be  looked  upon  rather  as  the  offspring  of  necessity  and 
mal-administration,  than  a  vice  in  itself.  Cenobio  is  a  contrabandista,  and 
upon  a  large  scale." 

"  And  you  are  a  political  philosopher,  Raoul." 

"  Bah  !  Captain,  it  would  be  bad  if  I  could  not  defend  my  own  calling,'' 
replied  my  comrade,  with  a  laugh. 

"  You  think,  then,  that  we  are  in  the  hands  of  Cenobio's  men." 
"  I  am  sure  of  it,  Captain.  Sacre  !  had  it  been  Jarauta's  band,  we  would 
have  been  in  heaven — that  is  our  souls — and  our  bodies  would  now  be  embel 
lishing  some  of  the  trees  upon  Don  Cosme's  plantation.  Heaven  protect  us 
from  Jarauta !  The  priest  gives  but  short  shrift  to  any  of  his  enemies ;  but 
if  he  could  lay  his  hands  on  your  humble  servant,  you  would  see  hanging  done 
in  double  quick  time." 

•'  Why  think  you  we  are  with  Cenobio's  guerilla  ?" 

"  I  know  Yariez,  whom  we  saw  at  the  ranche.  He  is  one  of  Cenobio's  offi- 
cers, and  the  leader  of  this  party,  which  is  only  a  detachment.  I  am  rather 
surprised  that  he  has  brought  us  away,  considering  that  Dubrosc  is  with  him . 
there  must  have  been  some  influence  in  our  favor,  which  I  cannot  under- 
stand." 

I  was  struck  by  the  remark,  and  began  to  reflect  upon  it  in  silence.  The 
voice  of  the  Frenchman  again  fell  upon  my  car. 

"  I  cannot  be  mistaken.     No— this  hill— it  runs  down  to  the  San  Juan." 

Again,  after  a  short  interval : — 

"  Yes,  the  San  Juan — I  know  the  stony  bottom— just  the  depth,  too,  at  thia 
season." 

Our  mules  plunged  through  the  swift  current,  flinging  the  spray  over  our 
heads.  We  could  feel  the  water  up  to  the  saddle-flaps,  cold  as  ice ;  and  yet 
we  were  journeying  it  the  hot  tropic  !  But  we  were  fording  a  stream  fed  by 
the  snows  of  Orizava. 

"  Now  I  am  certain  of  the  road,"  continued  Raoul,  after  wo  had  crossed. 
[  know  this  bank  well — the  mule  slides  !     Look  out,  Captain  !" 

"  For  what  ?"     I  asked  with  some  anxiety. 

The  Frenchman  laughed  as  he  repHed  : 

"  I  believe  I  am  taking  leave  of  my  senses.  I  called  to  you  to  look  out,  as 
if  you  had  the  power  to  help  yourself  in  case  the  accident  should  occur." 

"  What  accident  ?"  I  inquired  with  a  nervous  sense  of  some  impending 
danger. 

"  Falling  over — we  are  on  a  precipice  that  is  reckoned  dangerous  on  account 


TFIE    RIFLK    JiANGKRS.  1Y3 

of  the  clay  ;  if  your  mule  should  stumble  here,  the  first  thing  you  would  striko 
would  be  the  branches  of  some  trees  five  hundred  feet  below." 

"  Good  heaven  !"  I  ejaculated.     "  Is  it  so  ?" 

"  Never  fear,  Captain ;  there  is  not  much  danger.  These  mules  appear  to 
be  sure-footed,  and  certainly,"  added  he,  with  a  laugh,  "  their  loads  are  well 
packed  and  tied !" 

I  was  in  no  condition  just  then  to  relish  ajoke,  and  my  companion's  humor 
was  completely  thrown  away  upon  me.  The  thought  of  my  mule  missing 
his  foot,  and  tumbling  over  a  precipice,  while  1  was  stuck  to  him  like  a  Cen- 
taur, was  anything  else  than  pleasant.  I  had  heard  of  such  accidents,  and  the 
knowledge  did  not  make  it  any  easier.  I  could  not  help  muttering  to  my- 
self: 

"  "Why,  in  the  name  of  mischief,  did  the  fellow  tell  me  till  we  had  passed 
it?" 

I  crouched  closer  to  the  saddle,  allowing  my  limbs  to  follow  every  motioa 
of  the  animal,  lest  some  counteracting  shock  might  disturb  our  joint  equili- 
brium. I  could  hear  the  torrent,  as  it  roared  and  hissed  far  below,  and 
lirectly  under  us ;  and  the  "  sough"  grew  fainter  and  fainter  as  we  ascended. 

On  we  went,  climbing  up — up — up,  our  strong  mules  straining  against  the 
precipitous  path.  It  was  daybreak.  There  was  a  faint  glimmer  of  Ugb).  under 
our  tapqjos.  At  length,  we  could  perceive  a  brighter  beam.  "We  felt  a  sudden 
{^low  of  heat  over  our  bodies, — the  air  seemed  lightei  — our  mules  walked  on 
a  horizontal  path.  "We  were  on  the  ridge,  and  warmed  by  the  beams  of  the 
rising  sun. 

"  Thank  heaven  we  have  passed  it !" 

I  could  not  help  feeling  thus  ;  and  yet  we  were  riding  perhaps  to  death  ! 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

A    STAMPEDE. 

The  guerilleros  now  halted,  dismounting.  We  were  left  in  our  saddles. 
Our  mules  were  picketed  upon  long  lariats,  and  commenced  browsing.  They 
Carried  us  under  the  thorny  branches  of  the  wild  locust.  The  maguey,  with 
its  bill-shaped  claws,  had  torn  our  uniform  overalls  to  shreds.  Our  limbs 
were  lacerated,  and  the  cactus  had  lodged  its  poisoned  prickles  in  our  knees. 
But  these  were  nothing  to  the  pain  of  being  compelled  to  keep  our  saddles, — 
or  rather  saddle-trees,  for  we  were  upon  the  naked  wood.  Our  hips  ached 
intensely,  and  our  limbs  smarted  imder  the  chafing  thong. 

There  was  a  crackling  of  fires  around  us.  Our  captors  were  cooking  their 
breakfasts,  and  chatting  gaily  over  their  chocolate.  Neither  food  nor  drink 
was  oifered  to  us,  n' though  we  were  both  thirsty  and  hungry.  We  were  kept 
in  this  place  for  ab(  at  an  hour. 

"They  have  joine!  another  party  here,"  said  Raoul,  "with  pack  mules." 

"  How  know  you  T'  I  inquired. 

"  I  can  tell  by  the  hliouts  of  the  ameros— listen  !— they  are  making  ready 
to  start." 

There  was  a  mingling  of  voices.  Exclamations  addressed  to  their  animals 
by  the  arrieros,  such  as : — 

"  Mula  !  anda  !  vaya !  levantate  !  carrai  !  mvla — mulita — anda  ! — si 
—St .'» 

In  the  midst  of  this  din  I  fancied  that  I  heard  the  voice  of  a  woman  ! 

"Can  it  be ?" 

The  thought  was  too  painful.  ; 

A  buffle  at  length  sounded,  and  we  felt  ourselves  moved  onward. 


i 


-■y<»ii^<rfMfg&aiti^^i^w' 


■Fir^jiW   'S^    •S- 


?U^ 


He  liun),'  heart  down.  I  could  see  that  lie  was  dead  !  The  hard  thong  was  cutting  my 
ankles;  and,  oh,  heaven  !  under  our  united  weight,  the  roots  were  cracking  !  I  held  fast 
with  one  arm;  I  drew  forth  my  knife  with  the  other;  I  opened  the  blade  with  my  teeth  • 
and  stretching  backward  and  downward,  I  drew  it  across  the  thong.— Page  175. 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS.  175 

Our  road  appeared  to  run  along  the  naked  ridge.  There  were  no  trees,  and 
tire  heat  became  intense.  Our  serapes,  that  had  served  us  during  the  night, 
should  have  been  dispensed  with  now,  had  we  been  consulted  in  relation  to 
the  matter.  I  did  not  know,  until  some  time  after,  why  these  blankets  had 
been  given  to  us ;  as  they  had  been  hitherto  very  useful  in  the  cold.  It  was 
not  from  any  anxiety  in  regard  to  our  comfbrt,  as  I  learned  afterwards. 

"We  began  to  suffer  from  thirst,  and  Raoul  asked  one  of  the  guorilleros  for 
water. 

"  Oarq/o.'"  answered  the  man,  "  it's  no  use ;  you'll  be  choked  by  and  bye 
with  something  else  than  thirst." 

The  brutal  jest  called  forth  a  peal  of  laughter  from  his  comrades. 

About  noon,  we  commenced  descending  a  long  hill.  I  could  hear  the  sound 
ot  water  ahead. 

"  Where  are  we,  Raoul,  I  inquired  faintly. 

"  Going  down  to  a  stream — a  branch  of  the  Antigua." 

"  We  are  coming  on  knother  precipice  ?"  I  asked,  with  some  uneasiness,  as 
the  roar  of  the  torrent  began  to  be  heard  more  under  our  feet,  and  I  snuffed 
the  cold  air  rising  from  below. 

"  There  is  one,  Captain.     There  is  a  good  road,  though,  and  well  paved." 

'■''  Paved  !  why  the  country  around  is  wild — is  it  not  ?" 

"  True  ;  but  the  road  was  paved  by  the  priests." 

"  By  the  priests !"  I  exclaimed  with  some  astonishment. 

"  Yes,  Captain ;  there's  a  convent  in  the  valley — near  the  crossing  ;  that  Is, 
there  was  one.     It  is  now  a  ruin." 

We  crept  slowly  down — our  mules,  at  times,  seeming  to  walk  on  their 
heads.  The  hissing  of  the  torrent  gradually  grew  louder,  until  our  ears  were 
filled. 

I  heard  Raoul  below  me  shouting  some  words  in  a  warning  voice,  when 
tuddenly  he  seemed  borne  away,  as  if  he  had  been  tumbled  over  the  preci- 
pice ! 

"  I  expected  to  feel  myself  next  moment  launched  after  him  into  empty 
space,  when  my  mule,  uttering  a  loud  yell,  sprang  forward  and  downward  ! 

Down — down !  the  next  leap  into  eternity !  No  !  she  keeps  her  feet !  She 
gallops  along  a  level  path— I  am  safe ! 

I  was  swung  about  until  the  thongs  seemed  to  cut  through  ray  limbs  ;  and 
with  a  heavy  plunge,  I  felt  myself  carried  thigh-deep  into  water  ! 

Here  the  animal  suddenly  halted. 

As  soon  as  I  could  gain  breath,  I  shouted  at  the  top  of  my  voice  for  the 
Fre.nchman. 


176  THE    RIFI.K    kANGKRS. 

"  Here,  Captain  !"  he  answered,  close  by  my  side  ;  but,  as  I  fancied,  with  • 
strange,  gurgling  voice. 

"  Are  you  hurt,  Raoul  ?"  I  inquired. 

«  Hurt !    No,  Captain." 

"  What  was  it,  then  ?" 

"  Oh  !  I  wished  to  warn  you.  But  I  was  too  late.  I  might  have  known 
they  would  stampede,  as  the  poor  brutes  have  been  no  better  treated  then 
OTirselTes.    Hear  how  they  draw  it  up  !" 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 


A    DRINK   A    LA    CHEVAL. 


'Good  God,  I  am  choking!"  I  exclaimed,  listening  to  the  water  as  H 
filtered  through  the  teeth  of  my  mule. 

"  Do  as  I  do,  Captain,"  said  Raoul,  speaking  as  if  from  the  bottom  of 
a  well. 

"  How  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Bend  down ;  and  let  the  water  run  into  your  mouth." 

This  accounted  for  Raoul's  strange  voice. 

"  They  may  not  give  us  a  drop,"  continued  he,     ''  It  is  our  only  chance." 

"  I  have  not  even  that,"  I  replied,  after  having  vainly  endea-'ored  to  touch 
the  surface. 

"  Why  ?"  asked  my  comrade. 

"  I  cannot  reach  it." 

"  How  deep  are  you  ?" 

"  To  the  saddle-flaps." 

"  Ride  this  way,  Captain.    It's  deeper  here." 

"  How  can  I  ?    My  mule  is  her  own  master,  as  far  as  I  am  concerned.'' 

"  Parbleu  /"  said  the  Frenchman.     '•  I  did  not  think  of  that." 

But  whether  to  oblige  me,  or  moved  by  a  desire  to  cool  her  flanks,  the  ani- 
mal plunged  forward  into  a  deeper  part  of  the  stream. 

After  straining  myself  to  the  utmost,  I  was  enabled  to  "duck"  my  head. 
In  this  painful  position,  I  contrived  to  get  a  couple  of  swallows ;  but,  I  should 
think,  I  took  m  quite  as  much  at  my  nose  and  ears. 

Clayley  and  Chane  followed  our  example,  the  Irishman  swearing  loudly 


178  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

that  it  was  "  a  burnin'  shame  to  make  a  dacent  Chrystyin  dhrink  like  a  horse 
in  winkers." 

Our  guards  now  commenced  driving  our  mules  out  of  the  water.  As  we 
were  climbing  the  bank,  some  one  touched  me  lightly  upon  the  arm  ;  and,  at 
the  same  instant,  a  voice  whispered  in  my  ear,  "  Courage,  Captain  !"  I  started 
— it  was  the  voice  of  a  female.  I  was  about  to  reply,  when  a  soft  small  hand 
was  thrust  under  the  tapojo,  and  pushed  something  between  ray  lips.  The 
hand  was  immediately  withdrawn ;  and  I  heard  the  voice  urging  a  horsta 
onward. 

The  clatter  of  hoofs  convinced  me,  that  this  mysterious  agent  was  gone ; 
a.a<i  I  remained  silent. 

"  Who  can  it  be  J  Jack  ?  No.  Jack  has  a  soft  voice— a  small  hand.  But 
how  could  be  be  here  ?  and  with  his  hands  free  1  No — no — no.  Who,  then  1 
It  was  certainly  the  voice  of  a  woman — the  hand,  too.  What  other  should 
have  made  this  demonstration.  I  know  no  other — it  must — it  must  have 
been !" 

I  continued  my  analysis  of  probabilities,  always  arriving  at  this  result.  It 
was  both  pleasant  and  painful.  Pleasant,  to  believe  she  was  thus,  like  an 
angel,  watching  over  me — painful  to  think,  that  she  might  be  in  the  power  of 
my  fiendish  enemy ! 

But  is  she  so  ?  Lincoln's  blow  may  have  ended  him.  We  have  heard 
nothing  of  him  since.     Would  to  heaven ! 

It  was  an  impious  wish,  but  I  could  not  control  it. 

"  What  have  I  got  between  my  lips  ?  A  slip  of  paper !  Why  was  it 
placed  there,  and  not  in  my  bosom,  or  my  button-hole  ?  Ila  !  there  is  more 
providence  than  at  first  thought  appears.  IIow  could  T  have  taken  it  from 
either  the  one  or  the  other,  bound  as  I  am  ?  Moreover,  it  may  contain  what 
would  destroy  the  writer,  if  known  to — cunning  thought — for  one  so  young 
and  innocent,  too — but  love —  !" 

I  pressed  the  paper  against  the  tapojo,  concealing  it. 

"nalted,  again?" 

"  It  is  the  ruin,  Captain — the  old  convent  of  Santa  Bernardina," 

"  But  why  do  they  halt  here  ?" 

"  Likely,  to  noon  and  breakfost — that  on  the  ridge  was  only  their  desayuna. 
The  Mexicans  of  the  tierra  caliente  never  travel  during  mid-day.  They  will 
doubtless  rest  here  until  the  cool  of  the  evening." 

"  I  trust  they  will  extend  the  same  favor  to  us,"  said  Claylcy ;  '•'  God 


•ll!'.    HlVl.K    KANGERS.  179 

Knows  we  stand  in  need  of  rest.  I'd  give  them  three  months'  pay  for  an  hour 
apon  the  treadmill,  only  to  stretch  my  limbs." 

"  They  will  take  us  down,  I  think.  Not  on  our  account,  but  to  ease  the 
mules.     Poor  brutes  !  they  are  no  party  to  this  transaction." 

Raoul's  conjecture  proved  correct.  We  were  taken  out  of  our  saddles ; 
and,  being  carefully  bound  as  before,  we  were  hauled  into  a  damp  room,  and 
flung  down  upon  the  floor.  Our  captors  went  out.  A  heavy  door  closed 
after  them,  and  we  could  hear  the  regular  footfall  of  a  sentry  on  the  stone 
pavement  without.  For  the  first  time  since  our  capture,  we  were  left  alone. 
This  my  comrades  tested,  by  rolling  themselves  all  over  the  floor  of  our 
prison  !  It  was  but,  a  scant  addition  to  our  liberty ;  but  we  could  converse 
freely,  and  that  was  something. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

AN  ODD  WAY  OP  OPENING  A  LETTER. 

"  Has  any  of  you  heard  of  Dubrosc  on  the  route  ?"  I  inquh-ed  of  my 
omrades. 

No  ;  nothing  had  been  heard  of  him  since  the  escape  of  Lincohi. 

"  Faix,  Captain,"  said  the  Irishman,  "  it's  meself  that  thinks  Mister  Dub- 
Osc  won't  throuble  any  ov  us  any  more — it  was  a  purty  lick  that  same, 
yquil  to  ould  Donnybrook  itself." 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  kill  a  man  with  a  single  blow  of  a  clubbed  rifle,"  ob- 
orved  Clayley,  '*'  unless,  indeed,  the  lock  may  strike  the  scull  But  we  are 
,till  living ;  and  I  think  that  is  some  evidence  that  the  deserter  is  dead.  By 
lie  way,  how  has  the  fellow  obtained  such  influence  as  he  appeared  to  have 
mong  them ;  and  so  soon  too  ?" 

"  I  think,  lieutenant,"  replied  Raoul,  "  Monsieur  Dubrosc  has  been  here 
before." 

"  Ila  !  say  you  so  ?"  I  inquired  with  a  feeling  of  anxiety. 

"  I  remember,  Captain,  some  story  current  at  Vera  Cruz,  about  a  Creole 
having  married,  or  run  away  with  a  girl  of  good  family  there.  I  am  almost 
certain  that  was  the  name ;  but  it  was  before  my  time,  and  I  am  unacquamtea 
with  the  circumstances.  I  remember,  however,  that  the  fellow  was  a  gam- 
bier,  or  something  of  the  sort ;  and  the  occurrence  made  much  noise  in  the 
country." 

I  listened  with  a  sickening  anxiety  to  exery  word  of  these  details.  There 
was  a  painful  correspondence  between  them,  and  what  I  already  knew.  The 
thought  that  this  monster  could  be  in  anj'  was  connected  with  lier  was  a  disa- 
greeable one.  I  questioned  Raoul  no  farther.  Even  could  he  have  detailed 
every  circumstance,  I  should  have  dreaded  the  relation  ! 


THE    RIFLE    RANGEUS.  ISl 

Our  convsrsation  was  interrupted  by  the  creaking  of  a  rusty  hinge.  The 
door  opened,  and  several  men  entered.  Our  blinds  were  taken  off,  and  oh ! 
how  pleasant  to  look  upon  the  light.  The  door  had  been  closed  again,  and 
there  was  only  one  small  grating,  yet  the  slender  beam  through  this  was  like 
the  bright  noon-day  sun !  Two  of  the  men  carried  earthen  platters  filled 
with  frijoles,  a  single  tortilla  in  each  platter.  They  were  placed  near  our 
heads,  one  for  each  of  us. 

Frijoles  are  a  species  of  bean,  much  used — I  might  say  universally — by 
the  lower  classes  in  Mexico.  The  tortilla  is  a  thin  cake  made  of  maize,  and, 
Uke  the  frijoles,  in  universal  use.  It  has  been  often  described  by  travellers ; 
but  the  most  essential  point  in  which  it  differs  from  other  maize  bread  seems 
to  have  escaped  their  observation.  It  is  this  :  Corn  bread  is  made  from  corn 
meal ;  but  the  tortilla  is  manufactured  from  the  corn  itself,  which,  instead  of 
being  ground,  is  boiled  soft  with  lye  or  potash,  and  then  bruised  between  a 
pair  of  tortilla  stones — clapped  out  with  the  hands  into  thin  round  cakes  and 
thrown  upon  a  hot  stone,  or  griddle.  A  moment  on  the  griddle  suffices,  and 
they  are  brought  to  the  table,  or  rather  to  the  mouth  (in  most  instances  no 
table  being  near),  while  warm.  Cold  tortillas  that  have  lain  over,  are  moist- 
ened and  replaced  upon  the  griddle  before  being  eaten.  As  spoons,  knives, 
and  forks  are  hardly  known  among  the  peasants  of  Mesico,  the  tortilla  is 
twisted  into  the  form  of  a  scoop,  or  spoon,  and  by  this  the  thin  peppery  stews 
are  raked  out  of  the  earthen  platter,  spoon  and  all  going  down  the  throat 
together !  The  potash  used  in  softening  the  maize  gives  to  the  tortilla  a  flavor 
which  is  entirely  different  from  our  com  bread.  It  is  somewhat  unpleasant 
to  tho  palate  of  a  stranger. 

"  It's  blissid  kind  of  yez,  gentlemen,"  said  Chane ;  "  but  how  are  we  goin  to 
ato  it,  if  ye  plaze?" 

"  The  plague !"  exclaimed  Clayley, "  do  they  expect  us  to  lick  this  up  with 
out  either  hands,  spoon,  or  knives  ?" 

"  "Won't  you  allow  us  the  use  of  our  fingers  ?"  asked  Raoul,  speaking  to 
one  of  the  guerilleros. 

"  No,"  replied  the  man,  gruffly. 

'"  How  do  you  expect  us  to  eat,  then  ?" 

"  With  your  mouths.     What  else  V 

"  Thank  you.  Sir  ;  you  are  very  polite." 

"  If  you  don't  choose  that,  you  can  leave  it  alone,"  added  the  Mexican,  going 
o«t  with  his  companions,  and  closing  the  door  behind  them. 

"  Thank  you,  gentlemen  !"  shouted  the  Frenchman,  after  them,  in  a  tone 


182  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

of  subdued  anger.  "  I  won't  please  you  bo  much  as  to  leave  it  alone.  By  my 
word  !"  he  continued,  "we  may  be  thankful — it's  more  than  I  expected  from 
Yaiiez — that  theyv'o  givsa  us  any.  Something's  in  the  wind."  So  saying, 
the  speaker  rolled  himself  on  his  breast,  bringing  his  head  to  the  dish. 

"  Och  !  the  mane  haythins,"  cried  Chane,  following  the  example  set  by  his 
comrade  ;  "  to  make  dacent  men  ate  Mke  brute  bastes.  Och !  murther  an 
ouns  !" 

"  Come,  Captain ;  shall  we  feed  ?"  asked  Clayley. 

**  Go  on.    Do  not  wait  for  me,"  I  rephed. 

Now  was  my  time  to  read  the  note.  I  rolled  myself  under  the  grating, 
and,  after  several  efforts,  succeeded  in  gaining  my  feet.  The  window,  which 
was  not  much  larger  than  a  pigeon-hole,  widened  inwards  like  the  embrazure 
of  a  gun-battery.  The  lower  slab  was  just  the  height  of  my  chin ;  and  upon 
this,  after  a  good  deal  of  dodging  and  lip  jugglery,  I  succeeded  in  spreading 
out  the  paper  to  its  full  extent. 

"  What  on  earth  arc  you  at,  Captain  ?"  inquired  Olayley,  who  had  watched 
my  manoeuvres,  with  some  astonishment. 

Raoul  and  the  Irishman  stopped  their  plate-licking,  and  looked  up. 

"  Hush !  go  on  with  your  dinners — not  a  word.    I  read  as  follows : 

"  To-night  your  cords  will  be  cut,  and  you  must  escape  as  you  best  can 
afterwards.  Do  not  take  the  road  back,  as  you  will  be  certain  to  be  pursued 
ha  that  direction  ;  moreover,  you  run  the  risk  of  meeting  other  parties  of  the 
guerilla.  Make  for  the  National  road,  at  San  Juan,  or  Manga  di  Clavo.  Your 
posts  are  already  advanced  beyond  these  points.  The  Frenchman  can  easily 
guide  you.    Courage,  Captain !    Adieu  ! 

P.  S.  They  waited  for  you.  I  had  sent  one  to  warn  you ;  but  he  has 
either  proved  traitor,  or  missed  the  road.    Adieu !    Adieu !" 

"  Good  heavens  !"  I  involuntarily  exclaimed :  "  the  man  that  Lin- 
coln  !» 

I  caught  the  paper  into  my  lips  again,  and,  chewed  it  into  a  pulp,  to  avoid 
the  danger  of  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  guerilla. 

.  I  stood  turning  over  its  contents  in  my  mind.  I  was  struck  with  the  mas- 
terly style — the  worldly  cunning  exhibited  by  the  writer.  There  was  some- 
thing almost  unfeminine  about  it.  I  could  not  help  being  surprised,  that  ono 
BO  young,  and  hitherto  so  secluded  from  the  world,  should  possess  such  c 
\  knowledge  of  men  and  things.    I  was  already  aware  of  the  presence  of  a  pow 


THE    RIFLE   HANGERS.  183 

rful  intellect,  but  one,  as  I  thought,  altogether  unacquainted  with  practical 
life  and  action.     Then  there  was  the  peculiarity  of  her  situation. 

"Is  she  a  prisoner,  like  myself?  or,  is  she  disguised,  and  perilling  her  life 
to  save  mine  7  or,  can  she  be  —  ?  Patience !  To-night  will  unravel  the  mys- 
tery." 


CHAPTER   XXXVII. 


THE    COBRA    DI    CAPELLO. 


Up  to  this  moment  my  attention  had  been  engrossed  with  the  contents  of 
the  note,  and  I  had  no  thought  of  looking  outward.  I  raised  myself  on  tiptoe, 
stretching  my  neck  as  far  as  I  could  into  the  embrazure. 

A  golden  sunlight  was  pouring  down  upon  broad  green  leaves,  where  the 
palms  grew  wildly.  Red  vines  hung  in  festoons,  like  curtains  of  scarlet  satin. 
There  were  bands  of  purple  and  violet — the  maroon-colored  moms,  and  the 
snowy  magnolia — a  glittering  opal !  Orange  trees,  with  white,  wax-like  flow- 
ers, wefe  bending  under  their  golden  globes.  The  broad  plumes  of  the  corozo 
palm  curved  gracefully  over — their  points  trailing  downwards,  and  without 
motion. 

A  clump  of  these  grow  near,  their  naked  stems  laced  by  a  huge  parasite  of 
the  liana  species,  which  rose  from  the  earth,  and  traversing  diagonally,  was 
'ost  in  the  feathery  frondage  above.  These  formed  a  canopy,  un-^.cmeath 
which,  from  tree  to  tree,  three  hammocks  were  extended  !  One  was  empty. 
The  other  two  were  occupied.  The  elliptical  outlines,  traceable  through  the 
gauzy  network  of  Indian  grass,  proved  that  the  occupants  were  females. 

Their  faces  were  turned  from  me.  They  lay  motionless.  They  were 
asleep ! 

As  I  stood  gazing  upon  this  picture,  the  occupant  of  the  nearest  hammock 
awoke,  and  turning,  with  a  low  murmur  upon  her  lips,  again  fell  asleep.  Her 
face  was  now  towards  me.  My  heart  leaped,  and  my  whole  frame  quivered 
with  emotion.     I  recognised  the  features  of  Guadalupe  Rosalcs  ! 

One  limb,  cased  in  silk,  had  fallen  over  the  selvidgo  of  her  pendant  couch. 


THE    KIFLE    RANGERS,  185 

and  hung  negligently  down.  The  small  satin  slipper  had  dropped  off,  and 
was  lying  on  the  ground.  Her  head  rested  upon  a  silken  pillow,  and  a  band 
of  hair,  that  had  escaped  from  its  turquoise  clasp,  struggling  over  the  cords 
of  the  hammock,  trailed  along  the  grass.  Her  bosom  heaved  above  the  net- 
work as  she  breathed  and  slept ! 

My  heart  was  full  of  mixed  emotions — surprise,  pleasure,  love,  pain  !  Yes, 
pain — for  she  could  thus  sleep — sleep  sweetly,  tranquilly  ;  while  I,  within  a 
few  paces  of  her  couch,  was  bound — racked — brutally  treated ! 

"  Yee,  she  can  sleep  !"  I  muttered  to  myself,  as  my  chagrin  predominated 
in  the  tumult  of  emotions.     "  Ha !  heavens  !" 

My  attention  was  attracted  from  the  sleepet  to  a  fearful  object.  I  had  j» 
ticed  a  spiral-like  appearance  upon  the  liana.  It  had  caught  my  eye  once  oi 
twice,  while  looking  at  the  sleeper  ;  but  I  had  not  dwelt  upon  it,  taking  it  for 
a  smaller  vine  wrapped  upon  the  larger,  a  peculiarity  often  met  with  in  the 
forests  of  Mexico. 

A  bright  sparkle  now  attracted  my  eye  ;  and,  on  looking  at  the  object 
attentively,  I  discovered,  to  my  horror,  that  the  spiral  protuberance  upon  the 
vine  was  nothing  else  than  the  folds  of  a  huge  snake !  Squeezing  himself 
silently  down  the  parasite — for  he  had  come  from  above — the  reptile  slowly 
uncoiled  two  or  three  of  the  lowermost  rings,  and  stretched  his  glistening 
n?€k  horizontally  over  the  hammock.  Now,  for  the  first  time,  I  perceived 
bis  hood,  and  recognised  the  dreaded  monster — the  Cobra  di  Capello,! 

In  this  position  he  remained  for  some  moments  perfectly  motionless,  hia 
neck  proudly  curved  like  that  of  a  swan,  while  his  head  was  not  twelve  inches 
from  the  face  of  the  sleeper.  I  fancied  that  I  could  see  the  soft  down  upon 
her  lip,  playing  under  his  breath  ! 

He  now  commenced  slowly  vibrating  from  side  to  side,  while  a  low  hissing 
sound  proceeded  from  his  open  jaws.  His  hood  swelled  out,  adding  to  the 
hideousoess  of  his  appearance,  and,  at  intervals,  his  fangs  shot  forth,  glancing 
in  the  sun  like  diamonds  ! 

He  appeared  to  be  gloating  over  his  victim,  in  the  act  of  charming  her  to 
death.  I  even  fancied  that  her  lips  moved,  and  her  head  began  to  stir  back- 
ward, and  forward,  following  the  oscillations  of  the  reptile ! 

All  this  I  witnessed,  without  the  power  to  move.  Mj  soul,  as  well  as  my 
body,  was  chained ;  but  even  had  I  been  free,  I  could  have  offered  no  help.  T 
knew  that  the  only  hope  of  her  safety  lay  in  silence.  Unless  disturbed  and 
angered,  the  snake  might  not  bite ;  but  was  he  not,  at  that  moment,  distilling 
serae  secret  venom  upon  her  lips  ? 


Igg  THK    HTFI-K    KANGERS. 

'•Oh,  Heaven!"  I  gasped  out,  in  the  intensity  of  my  fears,  "is  this  the 
fiend  himself?"  She  moves— now  he  will  strike  !  Not  yet — she  is  still  again. 
Now — now — mercy  !  she  trembles — the  hammock  shakes — she  is  quivering 
under  the  fascin —     Ila  !" 

A  shot  rang  from  the  walls— the  snake  suddenly  jerked  back  his  head — his 
nags  flew  out,  and  he  fell  to  the  earth,  writhing  as  in  pain  ! 

The  girls  started  with  a  scream,  and  sprang  simultaneously  from  their  ham- 
mocks. 

Grasping  each  other  by  the  hand,  with  terrified  looks  they  rushed  from  the 
spot,  and  disappeared. 

Several  men  ran  up,  ending  the  snake  with  their  sabres.  One  of  them 
stooped,  and,  examining  the  carcase  of  the  dead  reptile,  exclaimed — 

'"  Carat !  the  friar*  is  shot  through  the  head  !" 

A  moment  after,  half-a-dozen  of  the  guerilleros  burst  open  the  door,  and 
rushed  in,  crying  out  as  they  entered — 

"  Quien  tira  ?"    (Who  fired  ?) 

"  What  lo  you  mean  ?"  angrily  asked  Raoul,  who  had  been  in  ill-humo«r 
ever  since  the  guerillero  had  refused  him  a  draught  of  water. 

"I  ask  you  who  fired  the  shot?"  repeated  the  man. 

"  Fired  the  shot !"  echoed  Raoul,  knowing  nothing  of  what  had  occurred 
outside.  "  We  look  like  firing  a  shot,  don't  we  ?  If  I  possessed  that  power, 
my  gay,  friend,  the  first  use  I  should  make  of  it  would  be  to  send  a  bullet 
through  that  clumsy  skull  of  yours." 

"  Santissima !"  ejaculated  the  Mexican,  with  a  look  of  astonishment.  '^  It 
could  not  be  these — they  are  all  tied  !" 

And  the  Mexicans  passed  out  again,  leaving  us  to  our  reflections. 

*  Alluding  to  tho  snake.  It,  in  fact,  takes  its  name  from  the  supposed  resemblaaoe  at 
Um  singular  formation  over  its  Lead  and  neck  to  the  hood  of  a  capellan. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 


THE    HACIENDA. 


Mine  -were  anything  but  agreeable.  I  was  pained  and  puzzled.  I  waa 
pained  to  think  that  she — dearer  to  me  than  life — was  thus  exposed  to  the 
dangers  that  surrounded  us.  It  was  her  sister  that  had  occupied  the  othei 
hammock. 

"  Are  they  alone  ?  Are  they  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  these  half  robbers  1 
May  not  their  hospitality  to  us  have  brought  them  under  proscription  ?  And 
are  they  not  being  carried,  father,  mother,  and  all,  before  some  tribunal  ?  Or, 
are  they  travelling  for  protection  with  his  band — protection  against  the  less 
scrupulous  robbers  that  infest  the  country  ? 

"  It  was  not  uncommon  upon  the  Rio  Grande,  when  rich  families  journeyed 
Srom  point  to  point,  to  pay  for  an  escort  of  this  sort.     This  may  elucidate — ^ 

"  But  I  tell  yez  I  did  hear  a  crack  ;  and,  be  me  sowl !  it  was  the  sargint's 
rifle,  or  I've  lost  me  hayrin  intirely," 

"  What  is  it  ?"  I  asked,  attracted  to  the  conversation  of  my  comrades. 

"Chane  says  he  heard  a  shot,  and  thinks  it  was  Lincoln,"  answered 
Clayley. 

"  His  gun  has  a  quare  sound,  Captain,"  said  the  Irishman,  appealing  to  me. 
*  It's  diflBrint  intirely  from  a  Mexican  piece — and  not  like  our  own  naither. 
It's  a  way  he  has  in  loadin  it." 

«WeU— what  of  that?" 

"  Why,  Raowl  says  one  of  thim  axed  him  who  fired.  Now,  I  hecrd  a  shot, 
for  my  ear  was  close  till  the  door  here.    It  was  beyant  like ;  but  I  cud  swear 


188  THE    KIFLE    RANGERS. 

npon  the  blissed  crass,  it  was  aither  the  sargint's  rifle,  or  another  as  like  it  aa 
two  pays." 

"  It  is  very  strange  !"  I  muttered,  half  in  soliloquy,  for  the  same  thought 
had  occurred  to  myself. 

•  I  saw  the  boy,  Captain,"  said  Raoul,  T  saw  him  crossing  when  thet 
opened  the  door." 

"  The  boy  ! — what  boy  ?''  I  asked. 

"  The  same  we  brought  out  of  the  town." 

•*  Ha  !  Narcisso — you  saw  him  ?" 

"  Yes ;  and,  if  I'm  not  mistaken,  the  white  mule  that  the  old  gentleman 
rode  to  camp.     I  think  it  accounts  for  our  being  still  alive." 

A  new  light  flashed  upon  me.  In  the  incidents  of  the  last  twenty  hours,  I 
had  never  once  thought  of  Narcisso.  Now  all  was  clear— clear  as  daylight. 
The  Zambo  whom  Lincoln  had  killed— poor  victim— was  our  friend— sent  to 
warn  us  of  danger.  The  dagger— Narcisso's — a  token  for  us  to  trust  him. 
The  soft  voice— the  small  hand  thrust  under  the  tapojo— yes— all  were 
Narcisso's ! 

A  web  of  mystery  was  torn  to  shreds  in  a  single  moment.  The  truth  did  not 
yield  gratification.  No— but  the  contrary.  I  was  chagrined  at  the  indif- 
ference exhibited  in  another  quarter. 

"  She  must  know  that  I  am  here,  since  her  brother  is  master  of  the  fact — 
here,  bleeding  and  bound.  Yet,  where  is  her  sympathy  ?  She  sleeps !  She 
journeys  within  a  few  paces  of  me,  where  I  am  tied  painfully— yet  not  a  word 
of  consolation.  No  '  She  is  riding  upon  her  soft  cushion,  or  carried  upon  a 
litera*  escorted,  perhaps,  by  this  accomplished  villain,  who  plays  the  gallant 
cavalier  upon  my  own  barb  !  They  converse  together— perhaps  of  the  poor 
captives  in  their  train — and  with  jest  and  ridicule — he  at  least — and  sJw  can 
hear  it,  and  then  fling  herself  into  her  soft  hammock  and  sleep— sleep  sweetly 
— calmly !" 

These  bitter  reflections  were  interrupted.  The  door  creaked  once  more 
upon  its  hinges.  Half-a-dozen  of  our  captors  entered.  Our  blinds  were  put 
on,  and  we  were  carried  out  and  mounted  as  before. 

In  a  few  minutes,  a  bugle  rang  out,  and  the  route  was  resumed. 

We  were  carried  up  the  stream  bottom,  a  kind  of  glen,  or  Canada.     We 

*  The  litera  is  frequently  met  with  ia  Mexico,  especially  •vrhera  the  coada  mil  not  admit 
of  any  species  of  carriage.  It  is  eometimes  carried  by  peons ;  oftonei  by  mules  attached 
to  the  long  shafts  that  stretch  out  both  before  and  behind  the  body  of  the  vehicle. 


THK    RIFLK    RANGERS.  189 

could  feel,  by  the  cool  shade  and  the  echoes,  that  we  were  travelling  under 
heavy  timber.  The  torrent  roared  in  our  ears,  and  the  sound  was  not  un- 
pleasant. Twice  or  thrice  we  forded  the  stream,  and  sometimes  left  it,  re- 
firning,  after  having  travelled  a  mile  or  so.  This  was  to  avoid  the  canons, 
where  there  is  no  path  by  the  water.  TVe  then  ascended  a  long  hill,  and 
ifter  reaching  its  summit,  commenced  going  downwards. 

The  words  Canada  and  cafLons  require  explanation : — Cafiada,  a  glen  with 
k  running  stream ;  a  word  adopted  into  our  language  by  the  usage  of  the 
hunters  on  the  frontier.  The  caiion  is  a  great  cleft  between  two  mountains, 
or  rather  two  parts  of  the  same  mountain,  that  seem  to  have  been  split  asun- 
der by  the  torrent  rushing  between.  There  is  rarely  any  path  along  the 
stream — the  sides  of  the  chasm  rising  perpendicularly  up  from  the  water— 
and  persons  following  the  route  of  a  river  that  caiions,  frequently  require  to 
make  a  circuit  of  ten  or  fifteen  miles  before  being  able  to  get  back  to  the 
stream.  The  word  is  both  a  noun  and  verb.  A  stream  is  said  to  cafion  when 
passing  through  one  of  these  chasms. 

Having  thus  explained,  we  will  resume  our  story. 

I  know  this  road  well,"  said  Raoul.  "  "We  are  going  down  to  the  house  ot 
Oenobio." 

"  Par  Dieu !  I  ought  to  know  this  hill !" 

"  For  what  reason  ?" 

"  First,  Captain,  because  I  have  carried  many  a  bulto  of  cochineal,  and  many 
a  bale  of  smuggled  tobacco  over  it ;  aye,  and  upon  nights  when  my  eyes  were 
of  as  little  service  to  me  as  they  are  at  present." 

"  I  thought  that  you  contrahandistas  hardly  needed  the  precarution  of  dark 
nights  ?" 

"  True,  at  times ;  but  there  were  other  times  when  the  government  became 
lynx-eyed,  and  then  smuggling  was  no  joke.  We  had  some  sharp  skirmish- 
ing. Sacre !  I  have  good  cause  to  remember  this  very  hill  I  came  near 
being  rubbed  out  on  the  other  side  of  it. 

"Ha!  how  was  that?" 

"  Cenobio  had  got  a  large  lot  of  cochineal  from  a  crafty  trader  at  Oaxaca.  It 
was  cached  about  two  leagues  from  the  hacienda  in  the  hills,  and  a  vessel 
was  to  drop  into  the  mouth  of  the  Medellin  to  take  it  on  board." 

Having  expressed  my  ignorance  of  the  true  signification  of  the  word  haci- 
enda, Raoul  gave  it  to  me  as  follows : — "  Hacienda  means  an  estate,  theugh 
often,  by  the  Mexicans  themselves  (and  always  by  foreigners),  the  name  is 
used  to  designate  the  principal  dwelling-place,  or  head-quarters,  of  an  estate, 
where  the  proprietor,  or  his  representative,  lives.     There  are  difierent  kinds 


190  THE    EIFr-K    RANGKRS. 

of  estates,  or  haciendas,  as  sugar  haciendas,  haciendas  where  tobaoca  is  culti- 
vated, haciendas  de  ganados  (cattle  farms),  but  in  one  thing  they  all  agree, 
that  is  in  the  general  appearance  of  the  "  great  house,"  which  we  may  term 
the  hacienda.  It  bears  no  more  resemblance  to  an  English  country-house, 
than  the  latter  does  to  a  burning  mountain. 

A  distant  front  view  of  a  hacienda  gives  you  a  long,  low  wall  (usually 
white),  with  a  great  black  gateway,  and  three  or  four  grated  apertures— pass 
ing  for  windows — placed  at  irregular  intervals  on  either  side  of  the  gate.  As 
you  approach  nearer,  you  do  not  find  that  this  wall  gets  much  higher,  and, 
when  you  have  arrived  on  the  spot,  you  perceive  that  it  is  not  above  ten  or 
fifteen  feet  high  at  the  most  (for  the  hacienda  is  aliuost  universally  a  single 
story  house). 

You  now  discover  that  what  appeared  onl}''  a  simple  massive  wall  is  the 
front  of  a  house,  which,  in  its  turn,  is  the  front  of  a  large  square  yard  (the 
p?itio).  The  other  three  sid-es  of  this  yard  are  enclosed  by  houses,  though 
generally  somewhat  lower  than  the  front  range,  in  which  are  the  principal 
dwelling  apartments. 

The  other  houses  are  the  stables,  granaries,  &c.,  and  are  usually  numbered 
over  the  door-head,  and  dignified  with  titles,  as  caballariza  (stable),  pajeria 
(fodder  crib),  cocina  (kitchen),  &c.  A  long  piazza,  or  portale,  usually  tra- 
verses the  front  range  looking  into  the  patio,  in  the  centre  of  which  there  is  a 
fountain. 

In  this  piazza  members  of  the  family  may  be  seen,  and  on  this  side  objects 
wear  a  less  g"..i*rded  aspect.  It  is,  in  fact,  the  real  front  of  the  haciemU.  and, 
if  such  a  house  may  be  said  to  wear  a  smile,  this  is  the  side  of  ith  face  upon 
which  to  look  for  it. 

Tl>e  unsettled  state  of  Spanish  society  in  all  ages  and  climes,  has  rendered 
it  necessary  that  that  part  of  their  dwellings  looking  outward,  should  bear  a 
stern  and  frowning  aspect.  Indeed,  the  hacienda,  with  its  ponderous  gates, 
and  ironed  windows,  resembles  a  prison,  or  a  fort,  more  than  a  peaceful  dwell- 
ing-house. 

In  some  haciendas  belonging  to  the  more  wealthy  proprietors,  an  attempt 
is  made  at  ornament,  by  raising  a  serrated  parapet  along  the  front,  and  over 
tlie  gateway.  Often,  too,  the  little  family  chapel,  with  its  quaint  steeple,  or 
cupola,  adds  much  to  the  picturesque  eflect  of  the  hacienda  and  the  surround- 
ing scenery. 

Usually  at  the  distance  of  fifty  rods  from  the  hacienda  may  be  observed  a 
•Juster  of  black  huts.     These  are  constructed  of  cane  or  wattles  in  the  tiena 


TIIK    KiKI.K    i;ANGKR8.  1<J1 

ccUxente,  of  adobes  (sun-dried  bricks),  iu  the  tierva  templada.  These  are  the 
homes  of  the  peons — the  serfs  and  laborers  belonging  to  the  estate.  They 
are  miserable  cabins,  and,  if  the  peon  wishes  to  vote  for  his  rulers,  he  must 
advocate  the  principles  of  universal  suffrage,  as  his  house,  and  all  it  contains, 
would  be  a  bad  bargain  at  five  dollars.  In  it,  however,  he  sleeps,  with  no 
other  bed  than  his  peiate,  and  no  blanket  excepting  the  everlasting  serape. 
Even  in  this  temperate  clime,  he  is  frequently  chilled  by  sudden  cold  winds 
•rom  the  north. 

Strolling  one  evening  through  a  cluster  of  wattle-built  peon-huts,  at  the 
hacienda  of  San  Antonio  (twenty  miles  from  Perote,  on  the  National  Koad) 
I  was  struck  with  several  low,  clay  structures,  half  buried  in  the  ground,  and 
looking  more  like  dog-kennels  than  anything  I  could  think  of.  Knowing  that 
the  Mexicans  were  not  so  nice  about  housing  their  dogs.  I  was  induced  from 
curiosity  to  inquire  the  uses  of  these  singular  huts. 

"  Para  dormir,  Sefior,"  said  a  peon,  taking  off  his  sombrero,  and  bowing 
"  para  dormir,  cuando  es  fria."     (To  sleep  in,  Sir,  when  it  is  cold.) 

The  doors  were  certainly  not  higher  than  those  of  a  dog-kennel ;  yet  into 
this  dark  hut,  or  rather  hole,  the  poor  serf,  with  his  wife  and  wild-looking 
progeny  was  glad  to  crawl  daring  the  season  of  chill  winds.  No  fire-wood. 
I  looked  around.  I  could  see  the  country  for  twenty  miles  in  every  dire«tion 
— its  bleak  barren  plains  without  a  tree — its  mountain  cones  shooting  up  dry 
and  naked,  and  nurturing  nought  but  the  never-ending  and  useless  cactus ! 
The  owner  of  a  hacienda  is  styled  haciendado. 

But  to  return  to  Cenobio  and  Raoul's  adventare  : 

"A  party  of  us  were  engaged  to  carry  it  across  to  the  coast,  and,  as  tne 
cargo  was  very  valuable,  we  were  all  of  us  armed  to  the  teeth,  with  orders 
from  the  patrone  to  defend  it  at  all  hazards.  His  men  were  just  the  fellows 
who  would  obey  that  order,  coming  from  Cenobio. 

"  The  Government  somehow  or  other  got  wind  of  the  affair,  and  slipped  a 
strong  detachment  out  of  Vera  Craz  iu  time  to  intercept  us.  We  met  them 
on  the  other  side  of  this  very  hill,  where  a  road  strikes  off  towards  Medellin.' 

"  Well !  and  what  followed  V 

"Why,  the  battle  lasted  nearly  an  hour';  and,  after  having  lost  half-i»- 
score  of  their  best  men,  the  valiant  Lancers  rode  back  to  Vera  Cruz  quicker 
than  they  came  out  of  it" 

"  And  the  smugglers  V 

"  Carried  the  goods  safe  on  board.  Three  of  them,  poor  fellows  i  are  lying 
not  far  off,  and  I  came  near  sharing  their  luck.  I  have  a  lance-hole  throagh 
my  thigh,  here,  that  pains  me  at  this  very  moment.     Sacre .'" 


192  Tin.    R\V\.K    RANGKIia. 

My  ear  at  this  moment  caught  the  sound  of  dogs  barking  hoarsely  below 
Horses  of  the  cavalcade  commenced  neighing,  answered  by  others  from  th« 
adjacent  fields,  who  recognised  their  old  companions. 

"  It  must  be  near  night,"  I  remarked  to  Raoul, 

"  I  think  about  sunset,  Captain,"  rejoined  he.     "  It  feels  about  that  time.'' 

I  could  not  help  smiling.  There  was  something  ludicrous  in  my  comrade's 
remark  about  "  feeling"  the  sunset. 

The  barking  of  the  dogs  now  ceased,  and  we  could  hear  voices  ahead,  wel 
coming  the  guerilleros. 

The  hoofs  of  our  mules  struck  upon  a  hard  pavement,  and  the  sounds 
echoed  as  if  under  an  arched  way. 

Our  animals  were  presently  halted,  and  we  were  unpacked  and  flung  rudel  5 
down  upon  rough  stones  like  so  many  bundles  of  merchandise. 


CHAPTER   XXXIX. 

THE    HEAD-aUARTERS   OP  THE   GUERILLA. 

We  lay  for  some  minutes,  listening  to  the  strange  voices  around  us.  Tlit 
aeighing  of  horses — the  barking  and  growling  of  dogs — the  lowing  of  cattle-  - 
the  shouts  of  the  arrieros  unpacking  their  mules — the  clanking  of  sabres  aloni: 
the  stone  pavements — the  tinkling  of  spurs — the  laughter  of  men,  and  the 
voices  of  women — all  were  in  our  ears  at  once. 

Two  men  approached  us  conversing. 

"  They  are  of  the  party  that  escaped  us  at  La  Virgen.  Two  of  them  are 
officers." 

"  Oiingaro  !  I  got  this  at  La  Virgen ;  and  a  full  half  mile  oflf.  'Twas  some 
black  jugglery  in  their  bullets.  I  hope  the  patrone  will  hang  the  Yankee 
savages." 

"  Quien  sabe  ?"  replied  the  first  speaker.  "  Pinzon  has  been  taken  this 
morning  at  Pucnta  Moreno,  with  several  others.  They  had  a,  fandango  with 
the  Yankee  dragoons.  You  know  what  the  old  man  thinks  of  Pinzon.  He'd 
sooner  part  with  his  wife." 

"  You  think  he  will  exchange  them,  then  ?" 

"  It  is  not  unlikely." 

"  And  yet  he  wouldn't  trouble  much  if  we  had  beei  taken.  No — no  j  he'4 
tet  us  be  hanged  like  dogs." 

•'  Well ;  that's  always  the  way,  you  know." 

"  I  begin  to  get  tired  of  him.  By  the  Virgin  !  Jose,  I've  half  a  mind  to  slip 
off,  and  join  the  Padre." 

'  Jarauta  ?" 


i'ji:  TIIK    lUVLK    KANGJiKS. 

"  Yes  ;  he's  by  the  Bridge,  wiih  a  brave  set  of  Jarochcs — some  of  our  old 
omradcs  upon  the  Rio  Grande  among  them.  They're  hving  at  free  quarters 
.long  the  road,  and  having  gay  times  of  it,  I  hear.  If  Jarauta  had  taken  these 
Yankees  yesterday,  the  zopilote  would  have  made  his  dinner  upon  tlieiu  to- 
iay." 

" That's  true,"  rejoined  the  other ;  "but  come — let  us  unblind  the  devils, 
.md  give  them  their  beans.     It  may  be  the  last  they'll  ever  eat." 

"With  this  consohng  remark,  Jose  commenced  unbuckling  our  tapojos,  and 
ire  once  more  looked  upon  the  light.  The  brilliance  at  first  dazzled  us  pain 
fully ;  and  it  was  some  minutes  before  we  could  look  steadily  at  the  objects 
wound  us. 

We  had  been  thrown  upon  the  pavement  in  the  corner  of  the  patio — a  large 
jeurt,  surrounded  b}''  massive  walls  and  flat-roofed  houses. 

These  buildings  were  low,  single  storied,  except  the  range  in  front,  which 
'omamed  the  principal  dwellings.  The  remaining  three  sides  were  occupied 
ny  stables,  granaries,  and  quarters  for  the  guerilleros  and  servants.  A  porUile 
extended  along  the  front  range,  and  large  vases,  with  shrubs  and  tlowers, 
ornamented  the  balustrade.  The  portale  was  screened  from  the  sun  hj  cur- 
tams  of  bright-colored  cloth.  These  were  partially  drawn,  and  objects  o! 
_legant  furniture  appeared  within. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  patio,  was  a  large  fountain,  boiling  up  into  a  reservoir 
of  hewn  mason-work  ;  and  around  this  fountain  were  clumps  of  orange-tree? 
—their  leaves,  in  some  places,  dropping  down  into  the  water.  Various  arms 
lung  or  leaned  against  the  walls — guns,  pistols  and  sabres — and  two  small 
'icces  of  cannon  with  their  caissons  and  carriages  stood  in  a  prominent  posi- 
ion.  In  these  w«  recognised  our  old  acquaintances  of  La  Yirgen. 
^  A  long  trough  stretched  across  the  patio,  and  out  of  this  a  double  row  of 
nules  and  mustangs  were  greedily  eating  maize.  The  saddle-tracks,  upon 
heir  steaming  sides,  showed  them  to  be  the  companions  of  our  late  wearisome 
ourney. 

Huge  dogs  lay  basking  upon  the  hot  stones ;  growling  at  intervals,  as  some 

le  gallopped  in  through  the  great  doorway.  Their  broad  jaws  and  tawny 
ides  bespoke  the  Spani^sh  blood-hound — the  descendants  of  that  race,  with 

liich  Cortez  had  harried  the  conquered  Aztec  ! 

The  guerilleros  were  seated  or  staitding  in  groups  around  the  fires — broilmg 
erkcd  beef  upon  the  points  of  their  sabres.     Some  mended  their  saddles,  or 

ere  wiping  out  an  old  carbine,  or  a  clurasj^cscopctte.  Some  strutted  around 
le  yard,  swinging  their  bright  mangas,  or  trailing  afrer  them  the  picturcsane 


THK    KIJ.IJ'.    KANGKRS.  X95 

tsurajic.  Women  iu  rehosos  and  colored  skirts  walked  to  and  fro  art  )ng 
Uie  men. 

The  rebozo  is  a  long  cotton  scarf,  of  a  blnish  grey  color.  The  pattern 
vanes,  but  the  general  character  is  a  bluish  grty.  I  can  state  of  the  rebozo 
something  similar  to  what  I  have  already  eaid  respecting  the  serape.  If  auy 
traveller  has  seen  a  Mexican  peasant  woman  without  the  rebozo,  his  observa 
tion  has  been  more  extensive  than  mine — they  wear  it  on  all  occasions. 

The  mode  is  thus.  It  is  first  hung  over  the  head,  the  selvidge  touching  the 
brow.  One  end  is  then  seized  in  the  right  hand,  and,  with  a  dexterous  whisk, 
flung  over  the  left  shoulder,  where  it  hangs  down  the  back.  The  face,  by  this 
operation,  becomes  partially  concealed,  and  it  may  be  further  hidden  by 
drawing  the  edge  of  the  rebozo  down  over  the  forehead.  Frequently  only 
one  eye — and  that  always  a  dark  one — gleams  out  from  the  peep-hole  thus 
constructed. 

The  arms,  otherwise  nude,  are  gathered  up  under  the  folds  of  the  rebozo. 
The  right  is  buried  in  that  end  that  traverses  across  the  breast,  aivl  "  over  the 
left,"  while  the  sinister  arm  is  free,  beneath  the  hanging  end  of  the  scarf,  and 
carries — concealed  likewise — many  curious  articles  that  form  the  solicitude  of 
a  ^lexican  manohi's  life. 

I  think  the  rebozo  is  three  yards  long,  including  fringe,  by  half  a  yard  in 
width.  It  is  neither  a  graceful  nor  a  useful  garment,  never  rich  looking. 
though  I  have  seen  several  that  cost  thirty  dollars  each.  They  are  bought  at 
prices  from  a  dollar  up  to  that  mentioned,  though  (as  in  the  case  of  the 
ycrape)  an  unpractised  eye  would  hardly  see  any  differenco  between  the  dollar 
rebozo,  and  that  at  thirty  times  the  cost ! 

The  rebozo  is  rarely  worn  by  ladies  of  the  JtaiU  tun.  They  have  adopted 
the  shawl,  which,  however,  they  manage  in  their  own  way,  drawing  it  over 
the  (unbonnetted)  head,  aud  clutching  it  in  their  tiny  little  claws  under  the 
chm.  The  face  is  thus  partially  concealed,  and  can  be  so  wholly,  whenever 
ihey  choose,  by  a  single  jerk  of  their  nimble  fingers. 

The  women  carried  jars  filled  with  water.  They  knelt  before  smooth  stones, 
and  kneaded  tovtillas.  They  stirred  chile  and  chocolate  in  earthern  olios. 
'J^hey  cooked  frijoles  in  flat  pans  ;  and,  amidst  all  these  occupations,  they 
joked  and  laughed  and  chatted  witk  the  men. 

Several  men — ofiicers,  from  their  style  of  dress,  came  out  of  the  portale 
and,  after  delivering  orders  to  the  guerilleros  on  guard,  returned  to  the 
house. 


196  THE    RIKLK    KANGER8. 

Packages  of  what  appeared  to  be  merchandize,  lay  in  one  corner  ^f  tho 
court.  Around  this  were  groups  of  arrieros,  in  their  red-leathern  garments, 
securing  their  charge  for  the  night ;  and  laying  out  their  mule-packs  in  long 
rows  by  the  wall.  The  arrieros  of  Mexico  are  generally  men  of  the  pure 
Spanish  race — that  is  the  head  arrieros ;  and,  from  all  I  saw  of  them,  they 
are  decidedly  the  best  specimens  of  the  genus  homo  to  be  met  with  in  the 
country.  They  are  celebrated  for  the  virtue  of  honesty,  which,  in  Itlexico,  is 
a  virtue.  An  arriero,  with  his  high  conical  hat,  his  swarthy  complexion,  and 
his  pointed  beard,  his  leathern  spenser,  and  brown  calzoneros,  his  brilliant 
Eerape  and  big  spurs,  is  a  most  picturesque  object.  Bands  of  these,  with  their 
atajoa,  are  constantly  meeting  the  traveller,  reminding  him  of  many  a  scene 
he  may  have  read  of  or  witnessed  on  the  roads  of  old  Spain. 

Over  the  opposite  roofs — for  our  position  was  elevated — we  could  see  the 
bo-ight  fields  and  forest,  and  far  beyond  the  Cofre  di  Perote,  and  the  undulat- 
ing outlines  of  the  Andes.  Above  all,  the  white-robed  peak  of  Orizava  rose 
up  against  the  heavens  like  a  pyramid  of  spotless  snow. 

The  sun  had  gone  down  behind  the  mountains,  but  his  rays  still  rested 
upon  Orizava,  bathing  its  cone  with  a  yellow  light,  like  a  mantle  of  burnished 
gold.  Clouds  of  red,  and  white,  an^  purple,  hung  like  a  glory  upon  his  track, 
and  descending,  rested  upon  the  lower  summits  of  the  Cordillera.  The  peak 
of  the  "star"  a-lone  appeared  above  the  clouds,  towering  in  sublime  and  soli- 
tary grandeur ! 

There  was  a  picturesque  loveliness  about  the  scene — an  idea  of  sublimity — 
that  caused  me  for  the  moment  to  forget  where  I  was,  or  that  I  was  a  captive. 
My  dream  was  dispelled  by  the  harsh  voice  of  Jose,  who,  at  that  moment, 
came  up  with  a  couple  of  peons,  carrying  a  large  earthen  dish  that  contained 
our  supper. 

This  consisted  of  black  beans,  with  half  a  dozen  tortillas  ;  but  as  we  were 
all  half  famished,  we  did  not  offer  any  criticism  on  the  quality  of  the  viands. 
The  dish  was  placed  in  our  midst,  and  our  arms  were  untied  for  the  first  time 
since  our  capture.  There  were  neither  knives,  forks,  nor  spoons ;  but  Raoul 
showed  us  the  Mexican  fashion  of  "  eating  our  spoons,"  and,  twisting  up  the 
tortillas,  we  scooped  and  swallowed  "  right  ahead." 


CHAPTER   XL. 
ciiane's  courtship. 

The  dish  was  emptied  in  a  "  squirrel's  jump." 

"  Be  my  soul !  it  ates  purty  well,  black  as  it  is,"  said  Chane,  looking  rue- 
fully into  the  empty  vessel.  "  It's  got  a  worse  complaint  than  the  colwi-. 
Cudn't  yez  fetch  us  a  thrifle  more  ov  it,  my  darlint  boy  ?"  he  added,  squint- 
ing up  at  Jose. 

"  No  entiende,"*  said  the  Mexican,  shaking  his  head. 

"  Och  !  git  out  wid  your  tin  days,  bad  luck  to  yer  pitcher ;  in  tin  days  it's 
Murtagh  Ohane  that'll  ayther  be  takin  his  tay  in  purghathory,  or  atiil  bet- 
ther  than  black  banes  in  some  other  part  of  the  w-orld." 

"  No  entiende,"  repeated  the  Mexican  as  before. 

"  Tin  days,  indade !  Sure  we  ud  be  did  wid  hunger  in  half  the  time.  We 
want  the  banes  now." 

"  No  entiende,  Senor,"  again  replied  the  man. 

"  Go  to  owld  Nick  !"  cried  Chane,  whose  patience  was  now  exhausted. 

"  Que  quiere  ?"  asked  the  Mexican,  speaking  to  Raoul,  who  was  I  y  thia 
time  convulsed  with  laughter. 

'•  Phwat's  that  he  sez,  Raowl  ?'*  inquired  Chane,  sharply. 

"  He  says  he  don't  understand  you." 

"  Thin  spake  to  him  yerself,  Eaoul.  Till  him  we  want  more  banes^  and  a 
few  more  ov  thim  pancakes,  if  he  plazes." 

Eaoul  translated  the  Irishman's  request. 

'•No  hay,'"  answered  the  Mexican,  shaking  his  forefinger  in  front  of 
his  nose. 

Tills  is  pronounced  no-i,  "  thore  is  none ;"  a  phrase  that  everr  reader,  wiio 
may  have  travelled  in  Mexico,  will  recognise  with  a  painful  'istinctnesi;. 
*  Pronotinced  no-in-ten-day 


lyS  TIIK    UrFLK    RANGKUR. 

Many  a  scene,  such  as  tliat  of  the  Georgia  hotel,  described  by  Lieut.  Sibley, 
has  occurred  to  the  traveller  in  the  land  of  Anahuac. 

"  Well,  iv  yez  won't  go  yerself,  sind  somebody  else;  it's  all  the  same  thing  j 
so  yez  bring  us  the  ateables." 

"  No  entiende,''^  said  the  man,  with  the  same  shake  of  the  head. 

"  Oh  !  there  agin,  but  it's  no  use  ;  yez  understand  me  weJl  enough,  but  ycj 
don't  want  to  bring  the  banes." 

"  lie  tells  you  there  is  no  more,"  said  Raoul. 

"  Oh !  the  desaving  Judas ;  and  five  hundred  ov  thim  grazers  atin  over 
beyant  there.     No  more  banes  ;  oh,  the  lie !" 

'•  Frijoles* — no  Aay,"  said  the  jMexican,  guessing  at  the  purport  of  Chane's 
remarks. 

"  Oh  !  git  out  wid  yer  fraj^  holcys  !  there  isn't  the  size  of  a  flay  of  holiness 
about  the  place.     Git  out !" 

Piaoul,  and  indeed  all  of  us,  except  the  Irishman  himself,  were  bursting  with 
laughter. 

"I'm  chokin,"  said  the  llitter,  after  a  pause;  "  ask  him  for  wather,  Raowl 
— sure  he  can't  deny  that — with  that  purty  little  sthrame  boilin  up  undhcr 
our  noses,  as  clear  as  the  potyeen  of  Innishowen." 

Raoul  asked  for  water,  which  we  all  needed.  Our  throats  were  as  dry  as 
charcoal.  The  Mexican  made  a  sign  to  one  of  the  women,  who  shortly  after 
came  up  with  an  onrthen  jar  filled  with  water. 

"  Give  it  first  to  the  Captin,  Misthress,"  said  Chane,  pointing  to  me, 
"  sarve  all  ayqually.  ^ut  respict  rank." 

The  woman  under  4ood  the  sign,  and  handed  me  the  jar.  I  drank  copi- 
ously, passing  it  to  ni y  comrades,  Clayley  and  Raoul.  Chane  at  length  took 
the  jar,  but,  instead  of  'h-inking  immediately,  as  might  have  been  expected,  he 
set  it  between  his  knees,  and  looked  quizzically  up  at  the  woman. 

"I  say,  my  little  darlint,"  said  he,  winking  and  poking  her  lightly  under 
the  ribs,  "  my  little  Moocliacha,t  that's  what  they  call  thim — isnt  it,  Raoul  ?" 

"Muchacha?  oh  yes." 

"  Well,  thin,  my  pretty  little  raoochacha  cudu't  yez  ?  ye  know  what  1 
mane?  Oudn't  j'es — ?  Oh!  ye  know  well  enough? — only  a  little— just  a 
mouthf'jl  to  take  the  cowld  taste  affthe  wather." 

*  Pronounced  fray-holys. 

tMuohacha — girl;  pronounced  as  by  Chane.  It  moans  a  young  girl,  bu  has  a  more 
ipeoifij  sense  at  times.     "  Visitar  las  muchackas,"  to  vieit  the  young  ladies. 


■■  N<.  entiende"  said  tlie  woman,  smiling  good-natnrclly  at  (Jhaue's  comira 
pcstnres. 

"  Och !  the  plague !  there's  that  tin  daj'S  agin — talk  to  her  Ravvol.  Tc 
her  what  I  mane." 

Raoul  translated  his  comrade's  wishes. 

"Tell  her,  Raowl,  I've  got  no  money,  bekase  I  have  been  robb'd,  de  ye  sec- 
but  I'll  give  her  ayther  of  these  saints  for  the  smallest  thrifle  of  agwardent. 
and  he  pulled  the  images  out  of  his  jacket,  as  he  spoke. 

The  woman,  seeing  these,  bent  forward  with  an  exclamation,  and  reco-r 
nising  th«  crucifix  with  the  images  of  the  saint  and  virgin,  dropped  upon  he 
knees,  and  kissed  them  fervently,  uttering  some  words  in  a  language  hal; 
Spanish — half  Aztec  ! 

Rising  up,  she  looked  kindly  at  Chane,  exclaiming,  "  Bueno  Catolico  TJ- 
She  then  tossed  the  rebozo  over  her  left  shoulder,  and  hurried  off  across  tb' 
yard. 

"  De  yez  tliink,  Raowl,  she's  gone  after  the  licker  ?" 

"  I  am  sure  of  it,"  answered  the  Frenchman. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  woman  returned,  and,  drawiiig  a  small  flask  out  oi 
the  folds  of  her  rebozo,  handed  it  to  Chane, 

The  Irishman  commenced  undoing  the  string  that  carried  his  "  relics." 

"  Which  ov  thim  de  yez  want,  Misthress — the  saint,  or  the  howly  n.othei 
or  both  ? — it's  all  the  same  to  Murtagh." 

The  woman  observing  what  he  was  after,  rushed  forward,  and,  pla-iing  he: 
hands  upon  his,  said  in  a  kind  tone : 

"  No,  Senor  !  Su  proteccion  necessita  F." 

"  Phwat  dez  she  say,  Raoul  ?" 

"  She  says,  keep  them  ;  you  will  need  their  protection  yourself." 

"  Oh,  be  me  sowl !  she's  not  foir  asthraj'  then.  I  need  it  bad  enough  now  . 
an  a  hape  ov  good  they're  likely  to  do  me.  They've  hung  there  for  tin  years 
— both  of  thim  ;  an  this  nate  little  flask's  the  first  biniflt  I  iver  resaved  from 
aither  of  them.     Thry  it,  Captin.     It'll  do  j^ez  good." 

I  took  the  "bottle  and  drank.  It  was  the  chingarito — a  bad  species  oi 
aguardicnle*  from  the  wild  aloe — and  hot  as  fire.  A  mouthful  sufficed.  5 
handed  the  flask  to  Clayley,  who  drank  more  freely.  Raoul  followed  suit 
and  the  bottle  came  back  to  the  Irishman. 

*  Literally,  burning  water;  and  the  name  is  by  no  means  innppr"pri:i*.a 


200  TUK    KIFLK    RANGERS. 

"  Your  hilth.  darlint,"  said  he,  nodding  to  the  Mexican  woman.  May  ycx 
live  till  I  wish  ye  did  !" 

The  woman  smiled,  and  repeated :  "  No  entiende." 

"  Oh !  nivir  mind  the  tin  days — we  won't  quarrel  about  that.  Yer  a  swate 
n-ayteur,"  continued  he,  winking  at  the  woman ;  "  but  sure  yer  petticoats  is 
mighty  short ;  an  yez  want  a  pair  of  stockingsf  bad  too — but  niver  mind — 
yez  stand  well  upon  thim  illigant  ankles — dade  ye  do  ;  and  yez  have  a  purty 
Utile  futt  into  the  bargain." 

"  Que  diceV^  (what  did  he  say?)  asked  the  Mexican,  speaking  to  Raoul, 

•'  He  is  complimenting  you  on  the  smallness  of  your  feet,"  answered  the 
Frenchman. 

The  woman  was  evidently  pleased,  and  commenced  cramping  up — what  waa 
in  fact — a  very  small  foot,  into  its  faded  satin  slipper.  In  regard  to  feet,  all 
nations,  I  think,  must  yield  the  palm  to  Mexico.  The  females  of  that  coun- 
try have  the  smallest  feet  and  best  formed  ankles  I  ever  saw.  They  usually 
wear  slippers — rarely  the  bootee — and  these,  even  upon  the  feet  of  the  leperaa 
■  -the  poorest  peasant  girls — must  be  silk  or  satin.  The  heel  is  generally 
down;  the  front  part  very  low,  scarcely  covering  the  toes,  and  how  they 
manage  to  "hold  on"  to  the  tiny  little  thing — walking  gracefully  all  the 
while — is  a  theorem  that  has  puzzled  a  good  many.  But  they  do  it,  and  we 
must  set  it  down  as  a  "  sleight-of-foot"  trick. 

"  Till  me,  me  dear,"  continued  Chane,  "  are  yez  married  V 

"  Que  dice!''''  again  asked  the  woman. 

"  He  wants  to  know  if  you  are  married  ?" 

She  smiled,  waving  her  forefinger  in  front  of  her  nose. 

Raoul  informed  the  Irishman  that  this  was  a  negative  answer  to  his  ques- 
tion. 

'•  V>y  my  sowl,  thin,"  said  Chane,  "  I  wudn't  mind  marryin  ye  meself,  and 
joiiiin  the  thribe — that  is  if  they'll  let  me  off  from  the  hangin.  Tell  her  that, 
Raowl.' ' 

As  desired,  Raoul  explained  his  comrade's  last  speech,  at  which  the  woman 
laughed,  hut  said  nothing. 

"  Silence  gives  consint.  But  tell  her,  Raowl,  that  I  won't  buy  a  pig  in  a 
poke  ;  they  must  first  let  me  off  from  the  hangin,  de  ye  hear — tell  her  that." 

'■  El  senor  esta  mny  allegre"  (the  gentleman  is  very  merry)  said  tlio 
woman  ;  and,  picking  up  her  jar,  with  a  smile,  she  left  us. 

t  It  is  rare  to  eoe  the  ankles  of  a  Mexican  paisana  cased  in  anything  bat  their  ova 
oataral  (and  not  very  white)  ekina. 


THE    KIFr-K    liANOKKS.  201 

"  1  say,  Raowl,  does  she  consint  ?" 
"She  hasn't  made  up  her  mind,  yet." 

"  By  the  holy  vistment,  thin  it's  all  up  wid  Murt !     The  saints  won't  sa>e 
him.    Take  another  dhrap,  Raowl  I" 


CHAPTER   XLI. 

TBE   DANCE   OP  THE   TAGABOTA. 

Night  fell,  and  the  blazing  fagots  threw  their  glare  over  the  patio,  strik- 
ing upon  objects  picturesque  at  all  times,  but  doubly  so  under  the  red  light 
of  the  pine  fires.  The  grouping  of  guerilleros — their  broad,  heavy  hats,  many 
of  them  plumed — their  long,  black  hair,  and  pointed  beards — their  dark, 
flashing  eyes — their  teeth,  fierce  and  white — the  half-savage  expression  of 
their  features — their  costumes,  high-colored  and  wild-like — all  combined  in 
impressing  us  with  strange  feelings. 

The  mules — the  mustangs — the  dogs — the  peons — the  slippered  wenches 
with  their  coarse,  trailing  tresses — the  low  roofs — the  iron-barred  windows— 
the  orange-trees  hy  the  fountain — the  palms  hanging  over  the  wall — the 
glistening  cocuyos — were  all  strange  sights  to  us. 

The  sounds  that  rang  in  our  ears  were  not  more  familiar.  Even  the  voices 
of  the  men,  unlike  the  Saxon,  sounded  wild  and  sharp.  It  was  the  Spanish 
language  spoken  in  the  patois  of  the  Aztec  Indian.  In  this  the  guerilleros 
chatted,  and  sang,  and  swore.  There  was  a  medley  of  other  sounds,  not  less 
strange  to  our  ears — as  the  dogs  howled  and  barked  their  bloodhound-notes — 
as  the  mustangs  neighed,  or  the  mules  hinnied — as  the  heavy  sabre  clanked 
or  the  huge  spur  tinkled  its  tmy  bells — as  the  majas,  sitting  by  some  group 
touched  the  strings  of  their  bandolons,  and  chanted  their  half-Indian  song.<i 

By  a  blazing  pile,  close  to"  where  we  sate,  a  party  of  guerilleros,  with  their 
women,  were  dancing  the  Tagarota — a  species  of  fandango. 

The  men  had  thrown  aside  their  heavy  hats  and  accoutrements.  Some  of 
them  had  unbuttoned  the  legs  of  their  calsonei'os,  and  tucked  them  up  to  llio 
Waist,  d  la  Bedouin.     The  women  had  cast  off  their  rebozos,  leaving  a  light 


Tl.^     :C-,;,:      I   A  .(iKiJS.  203 

sloevelcss  chemise,  as  the  only  covering  between  their  bosoms  and  the  light 
while  their  flaming  petticoats  were  short  enough  to  have  suited  a  Parisiar 
coryphee. 

Two  men,  seated  upon  raw-hide  stools,  strummed  away  upon  a  pair  o' 
bandolons,  while  a  third  pinched  and  pulled  at  the  strings  of  an  old  guitar- 
all  three  aiding  the  music  with  their  shrill,  disagreeable  voices. 

The  dancers  formed  the  figure  of  a  parallelogram,  each  standing  opposite  hif 
partner,  or  rather  moving,  for  they  were  never  at  rest,  but  kept  constantly 
beating  time  with  feet,  head,  and  hands.  The  last  they  struck  against  their 
cheeks  and  thighs  ;  and,  at  intervals,  clapped  them  together. 

One  would  suddenly  appear  as  a  hunchback,  and,  dancing  out  into  th 
centre  of  the  figure,  perform  various  antics  to  attract  his  partner.     After 
while  she  would  dance  up — deformed  also — and  the  two  bringing  their  bodie;- 
in  contact,  and  performing  various  disgusting  contortions,  would  give  place  to 
another  pair.     These  would  appear  without  arms  or  legs,  walking  on  theii 
knees,  or  sliding  along  on  their  hips  ! 

One  danced  with  his  head  under  his  arm,  and  another  with  one  leg  around 
his  neck ;  all  eliciting  more  or  less  laughter,  as  the  feat  was  more  or  lesj; 
comical.  During  the  dance,  every  species  of  deformity  was  imitated  and 
caricatured — for  this  is  the  Tagarota.  It  was  a  scries  of  grotesque  and  repul- 
sive pictures.  Some  of  the  dancers  flinging  themselves  flat,  would  roll  across 
the  open  space  without  moving  hand  or  foot.  This  always  elicited  applause, 
and  we  could  not  help  remarking  its  resemblance  to  the  gymnastics  we  had 
lately  been  practising  ourselves.  I  have  seen  the  Tagarota  but  once,  and  I 
wish  never  to  see  it  again.  I  believe  that  it  is  a  species  of  dance,  the  stranger 
in  Mexico  will  have  but  few  opportunities  of  witnessing.  It  is  not  every  ono 
who  may  have  the  good  or  ill  forture  to  be  in  the  company  where  it  is  danced. 
I  am  not  certain  of  the  orthography  of  the  word.  I  never  saw  it  written,  and 
I  have  followed  the  orthoepy  as  closely  as  I  could. 

"  Oh  !  be  me  sowl !  We  can  bate  yez  at  that !"  cried  Chane,  who  appei  p4 
to  be  highly  amused  at  the  Tagarota,  making  his  comments  as  the  dance 
went  on. 

I  was  sick  of  the  scene,  and  watched  it  no  longer.  My  eyes  turned  to  the 
portule,  and  I  looked  anxiously  through  the  half  drawn  curtains. 

"  It  is  strange  I  have  seen  nothing  of  them  !  Could  they  have  turned  off  on 
some  other  route  1  No — they  must  be  here.  Narcisso's  promise  for  to-night! 
He,  at  least,  is  here.  And  she  ? — perhaps  occupied  within — gay,  happy,  indif 
forent — oh  !" 


,04  THE   EIFLE   EANGEK8. 

The  pain  shot  afresh  through  my  heart. 

Suddenly  the  curtain  was  drawn  aside,  and  a  brilliant  picture  appeared 
.'ithin — brilliant  but  to  me — like  the  glimpse  which  some  condemned  spirit 
light  catch  over  the  walls  of  Paradise.  Officers  in  bright  uniforms,  and 
mongst  these  I  recognised  the  elegant  person  of  Dubrosc.    Ladies  in  rich 

resses,  and  amongst  these .     Her  sister,  too,  was  there,  and  the  Doila 

.'oaquina,  and  half-a-dozen  other  ladies  rustUng  in  silks,  and  blazing  with 
jewels ! 

Several  of  the  gentlemen — young  officers  of  the  band — wore  the  picturesque 
ostume  of  the  guerilleros. 

They  were  forming  for  the  dance. 

"  Look,  Captain  !"  cried  Clayley,  "  Don  Cosme  and  his  people,  by  the  living 
•arthquake !" 

"  Hush  !  do  not  touch  me — do  not  speak  to  me  !" 

I  felt  as  though  my  heart  would  stop  respiration.  It  rose  in  my  bosom, 
md  seemed  to  hang,  for  minutes,  without  beating.  My  throat  felt  dry  and 
lusky,  and  a  cold  perspiration  broke  out  upon  me. 

"  lie  approaches  her — he  asks  her  to  dance,  she  consents  !  No  !  she  refusea* 
IJrave  girl !  She  has  strayed  away  from  the  dancers,  and  looks  over  the 
■)alustrade.  She  is  sad.  Was  it  a  sigh  that  caused  her  bosom  to  rise  ?  Ha' 
'iQ  comes  again.     She  is  smiling ! — he  touches  her  hand  ! 

"  Fiend  !  false  woman  !"  I  shouted  at  the  top  of  my  voice.  I  sprang  up, 
■mpelled  by  passion.  I  attempted  to  rush  toward  them.  My  feet  were 
bound,  and  I  fell  heavily  upon  my  face  ! 

The  guards  seized  me,  tjnng  my  hands.  My  comrades,  too,  were  re« 
bound.  We  were  dragged  over  the  stones  into  a  small  room  in  one  comer  of 
the  patio. 

The  door  was  bolted  and  locked,  and  we  were  left  alone. 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

A    KISS    IN    THE    DARK, 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  my  feelings,  as  I  was  flung  upon  the 
floor  of  our  prison.  This  was  cold,  damp,  and  filthy ;  but  I  heeded  not  these 
grievances.  Greater  sorrows  absorbed  the  less.  There  is  no  torture  so 
racking — no  pain  so  painful,  as  the  throbbings  of  a  jealous  heart ;  but  how 
much  harder  to  bear  under  circumstances  like  mine  !  She  could  sleep — smile 
— dance — dance  by  my  prison,  and  with  my  jailor  ! 

I  felt  spiteful — vengeful.  I  was  stung  to  a  desire  for  retahation  ;  and  along 
with  this,  came  an  eagerness  to  hve  for  the  opportunity  of  iedulging  in  this 
passion. 

I  began  to  look  around  our  prison,  and  see  what  chances  it  offered  for 
escape. 

"  Good  Heavens !  if  our  being  transferred  to  the  cell  should  destroy  the 
plans  of  Narcisso,  How  is  he  to  reach  us  ?  The  door  is  double-locked,  and 
a  sentry  is  pacing  without !" 

After  several  painful  efforts,  I  raised  myself  upon  my  feet,  propping  my 
body  against  the  side  of  the  prison.  There  was  an  aperture — a  window  about 
as  large  as  a  loop-hole  for  musketry.  I  spun  myself  along  the  wall,  until  I 
stood  directly  under  it.  It  was  just  the  height  of  my  chin.  Cautioning  my 
companions  to  silence,  I  placed  my  ear  to  the  aperture  and  listened.  A  low 
sound  came  wailing  from  the  fields  without.  I  did  not  heed  this.  I  knew  it 
was  the  wolf.  It  rose  again  louder  than  before.  A  peculiarity  in  the  how] 
struck  me,  and  I  turned,  calling  to  Raoul. 

"  What  is  itj  Captain  ?"  inquired  he. 


20(3  'I'HK    KIKLP:    KANGEK8 

'•  Do  you  know  if  the  prairie  wolf  is  found  here  ?" 

"  I  do  not  know  if  it  be  the  true  prairie  wolf.  Captain.  There  is  one  some- 
thing like — the  coyote." 

I  returned  to  the  aperture,  and  listened. 

"  Again  the  howl  of  the  prairie  wolf— the  bark !  By  Heavens  !  it  is  Lin- 
coln !'' 

Now  it  ceased  for  several  minutes,  and  then  came  again  ;  but  from  another 
direction. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  ?  If  I  answer  him,  it  will  alarm  the  sentry.  1  will 
wait  until  he  comes  closer  to  the  wall."  I  could  tell  that  he  was  creeping 
nearer  and  nearer. 

Finding  he  had  not  been  answered,  the  howling  ceased.  I  stood  listenmg 
eagerly  to  every  sound  from  without.  My  comrades,  who  had  been  apprised 
of  Lincoln's  proximity,  had  risen  to  their  feet,  and  were  leaning  against  the 
walls. 

We  were  about  half  an  hour  in  this  situation,  without  exchanging  a  word 
when  a  light  tap  wfis  heard  from  without,  and  a  soft  voice  whispered— 

'  IMa  Capital  up' 

I  placed  my  ear  to  the  aperture.  The  whisper  was  repeated— it  was  not 
Lincc-ln.     That  was  clear. 

It  must  be  Narcisso. 

"  Qiiien  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Yd,  Capitany 

I  recognised  the  voice  that  had  addressed  me  in  the  morning. 

''  It  is  Narcisso." 

"  Can  you  place  your  hands  in  the  aperture  ?"  said  he. 
No ;  they  are  tied  behind  my  back." 
'  Can  you  bring  them  opposite,  then  ?" 

"  No ;  I  am  standing  on  my  toes,  and  my  wrists  are  still  far  below  the  sill." 

"Are  your  comrades  all  similarly  bound  ?" 

"  A'n." 

"  Let  one  get  on  each  side,  and  raise  you  up  on  their  shoulders." 
■V Wondering  at  the  astuteness  of  the  young  Spaniard,  I  ordered  Char.c  and 
Raoul  to  lift  me  as  he  directed. 

When  my  wrists  came  opposite  the  window,  I  cautioned  them  to  hold  oil. 
Presently  a  soft  hand  touched  mine,  passing  all  over  them.  Then  I  felt  Che 
blade  of  a  knife  pressed  against  the  thong,  and  in  an  instant  it  leaped  from 
my  wrists.    I  ordered  the  men  to  set  mo  down,  and  I  listened  as  before. 


TIIK    lilFI.K    KANOKKS.  207 

"  Here  is  the  knife ;  you  can  release  your  own  ankles,  and  those  of  your 
comrades.   This  paper  will  direct  you  further.    You  will  find  the  lamp  inside." 

A  knife,  with  a  folded  and  strangely  shining  note,  were  passed  through  by 
the  speaker ! 

"  And  now,  Capitan — one  favor,"  continued  the  voice,  in  a  trembling  tone. 

"Ask  it— ask  it!" 

"  I  would  kiss  your  hand,  before  we  part." 

"  Dear — noble  boy  !"  cried  T,  thrusting  my  hand  into  the  aperture. 

"  Boy !  ah — true — you  think  me  a  boy.  I  am  no  boy,  Captain,  but  a 
woman — one  who  loves  you  with  all  her  blighted,  broken  heart !" 

"  Oh,  heavens !  it  is  then  !  dearest  Guadalupe  !" 

"  Ha !  I  thought  as  much — now  I  will  not — but  no — what  good  would  it 
be  to  me  ?    No — no — no  !   I  will  keep  my  word." 

This  appeared  to  be  uttered  in  soliloquy  and  the  tumalt  of  my  thoughts 
prevented  me  from  noticing  the  strangeness  of  these  expressions.  I  thought 
of  them  afterwards. 

"  Your  hand — your  hand !"  I  ejaculated. 

"  You  would  kiss  my  hand  ?  do  so  !"  The  little  hand  was  thrust  through, 
flashing  with  brilliants.  I  caught  it  in  mine,  covering  it  with  kisses.  It 
seemed  to  yield  to  the  fervid  pressure  of  my  lips. 

"  Oh !"  I  exclaimed,  in  the  transport  of  my  ftelings,  "  let  us  not  part — let  us 
fly  together !    I  was  wronging  you,  loveliest,  dearest  Guadalupe " 

A  slight  exclamation,  as  if  from  some  painful  emotion,  and  the  hand  was 
plucked  away,  leaving  one  of  the  diamonds  in  my  fingers.  The  next  moment, 
the  voice  whispered,  with  a  strange  sadness  of  tone  as  I  thought: 

"  Adieu,  Capitan,  adieu  !  In  this  world  of  life  xve  never  know  who  bfini 
i)«jc»  lis  /"  I 

I  was  puzzled — bewildered.  I  called  out,  but  there  was  no  answer.  I 
listened  until  the  patience  of  my  comrades  was  well  nigh  exhausted,  but  still 
there  was  no  voice  from  without ;  and,  with  a  strange  feeling  of  uneasiness! 
and  wonderment,  I  commenced  cuttiag  the  thongs  from  my  ankles. 

Having  set  Raoul  at  liberty,  I  handed  him  the  knife,  and  proceeded  to  open 
the  note.  Inside  I  found  the  cocuyo,  and,  using  it  as  I  had  been  already  in- 
structed, I  read : 

"  The  walls  are  adobe.  You  have  a  knife.  The  side  with  the  loop-holo 
fronts  outward.  There  is  a  field  of  maguej^s  ;  and,  beyond  this,  you  will  find 
the  forest.  You  may  then  trust  to  yourselves.  I  can  help  you  no  farther 
Carissimo  caballero.     Adieu '" 


208  THE    EIFLE   KANGEES. 

I  had  no  time  to  reflect  upon  the  peculiarities  of  the  note,  though  the  bold- 
ness of  the  style  struck  me  as  corresponding  with  the  other.  I  flung  down 
the  fire-fly,  crushing  the  paper  into  my  bosom ;  and,  seizing  the  knife,  was 
about  to  attack  the  adobe  wall,  when  voices  reached  me  from  without.  I 
sprang  forward,  and  placed  my  ear  to  listen.  It  was  an  altercation — a  woman 
— a  man — "  By  heaven,  it  is  Lincoln's  voice  !" 

"  Yer  cussed  whelp,  ye'd  see  the  Cap'n  hung,  would  yer  1  a  man  that's  good 
vally  for  the  full  of  a  pararer  of  green-gutted  greasers ;  but  I  aint  a  gwine  to 
let  you  look  at  his  hangin ;  if  yer  dont  show  me,  which  of  these  yere  pigeon 
holes  is  his'n,  an'  help  me  to  get  him  outer  it,  I'll  skin  yer  like  a  mink  !" 

"  I  tell  you.  Mister  Lincoln,"  replied  a  voice  which  I  recognised  as  the  one 
whose  owner  had  just  left  me,  "  I  have  this  minute  given  the  Captain  tho 
means  of  escape,  through  that  loop-hole." 

«  Whar  ?" 

This  one,"  answered  the  female  voice. 

•'  Wal — that's  easy  to  circumstantiate ;  kum  along  veer !  I  aint  agwine  to 
et  yer  go,  till  it's  aU  fixed,  de  ye  hear !" 

I  heard  the  heavy  foot  of  the  hunter,  as  he  approached ;  and  presently  his 
voice,  calling  through  the  loop-hole,  in  a  guarded  whisper : 

"  Cap'n." 

"  Hush !  Bob,  it's  all  right,"  I  replied,  speaking  in  a  low  tone,  for  the 
sentries  were  moving  suspiciously  around  the  door. 

"  Good !"  ejaculated  he,  "  yer  kin  go  now,"  he  added  to  the  other,  whose 
attention  I  endeavored  to  attract,  but  dared  not  call  loud  enough,  lest  the 
guards  should  hear  me.  "  Dash  my  buttons !  I  don't  want  yer  to  go — yer  a 
good  un  arter  all — why  can't  yer  kum  along ;  the  "  Cap'n  '11  make  it  all 
straight  agin." 

"  Mr.  Lincoln,  I  cannot  go  with  you ;  please  sufier  me  to  depart !" 

"  Wal  !  3^er  own  likes ;  but  ifl'kin  do  yer  a  good  turn,  you  can  depend  on 
Bob  Linkin,  mind  that." 
Thank  you,  thank  you !" 

And,  before  I  could  interfere  to  prevent  it,  she  was  gone.  I  could  hear  the 
voice,  sad  and  sweet,  in  the  distance,  calling  back  "  Adios  /" 

I  had  no  time  for  reflection,  else  the  nystery  th'.t  surrounded  me  would 
have  occupied  my  thoughts  for  hours.  It  was  time  to  act.  Again  1  heani 
Lincoln's  voice  at  the  loophole. 

"  What  is  it  ?"  I  inquired. 

''  How  are  yer  ter  get  out,  Cap'n  ?" 
'  We  are  cuttin-'  a  hole  throiisrh  tire  wall." 


TllK    KIKLK    RANQKRS.  20'J 

"  If  yer  can  give  me  the  spot,  I'll  meet  yer  half- ways." 

I  measured  the  distance  from  the  loop-hole,  and  handed  the  string  to  Liiv- 
coln.  We  heard  no  more  from  the  hunter,  until  the  moonlight  glanced 
through  the  wall  upon  the  blade  of  his  knife.  Then  he  uttered  a  short  ejacn- 
lation,  such  as  may  be  heard  from  the  "  mountain  men"  at  peculiar  crises ;  and 
after  that  we  could  hear  him  exclaiming: 

"  Look  out,  Raoul !  Hang  it,  man,  yer  a  cuttin  my  claws !" 

In  a  few  minutes,  the  hole  was  large  enough  to  pass  our  bodies ;  and  one, 
by  one,  we  crawled  out,  and  were  once  more  at  liberty. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

MARIA    DE    MERCED. 

There  was  a  deep  ditch  under  the  wall,  filled  with  cactus  plants  and  dry 
grass.  We  lay  in  the  bottom  of  this  for  some  moments,  panting  with  fatigue. 
Our  limbs  were  stiff  and  swollen,  and  we  could  hardly  stand^pright.  A  little 
delay  then  was  necessary,  to  bring  back  the  blood,  and  determine  our  future 
course. 

"  We  had  best  ter  keep  the  gullj',"  whispered  Lincoln,  "  I  kum  across  the 
fields  myself,  but  them  pulkies*  is  thin,  and  they  may  sight  us." 

"  The  best  route  is  the  ditch,"  assented  "Raoul ;  "  there  are  some  windows 
but  they  are  high,  and  we  can  crawl  under  them." 

"  Forward,  then  !"  I  whispered  to  Raoul. 

"W"e  crept  down  the  ditch  on  all  fours,  passing  several  windows  that  wer« 
dark  and  shut.  We  reached  one,  the  last  in  the  row,  where  the  light  streamed 
through.  Notwithstanding  our  perilous  situation,  I  resolved  to  look  in. 
There  was  an  impulse  upon  me  which  I  could  not  resist.  I  was  yearning  for 
Bome  clue  to  the  mystery  that  hung  around  me. 

The  window  was  high  up,  but  it  was  grated  with  heavy  bars;  and,  grasping 
two  of  these,  I  swung  myself  to  its  level.  Meanwhile,  my  comrades  had  crept 
into  the  maguey  to  wait  for  me. 

I  raised  my  head  cautiously  and  looked  in.  It  was  a  room — somewhat 
elegantly  furnished — but  my  eye  did  not  dwell  long  on  that.  A  man  sitting 
by  the  table  engrossed  my  attention.  This  man  was  Dubrosc.  The  light 
was  full  upon  his  face,  and  I  gazed  upon  its  hated  lines  until  I  felt  my  frame 
trembling  with  passion. 

I  can  give  no  idea  of  the  hate  this  man  had  inspired  me  with.     Had  T  pos- 

•  Maguey  plants,  called  by  the  soldiers  pulque  planU. 


'^11 


lelfLj 

■1 


messed  fire-arms,  I  could  not  have  restrained  rayseif  from  shooting  him  ;  and 
but  for  the  n*on  grating,  I  should  have  sprung  through  the  sash  and  grap- 
pled him  with  my  hands.  I  have  thought  since,  that  some  providence  held 
me  back  from  making  a  demonstration,  that  would  have  baiBed  our  escape 
am  sure  at  that  moment  I  possessed  no  restraint  within  myself. 

As  I  gazed  at  Dubrosc,  the  door  of  the  apartment  opened,  and  a  young  man 
entered.  He  was  strangely-attired,  in  a  costume  half  military,  half  ranchero. 
There  was  a  fineness — a  silky  richness — about  the  dress  and  manner  of  thij 
youth  that  struck  me.     His  features  were  dark  and  beautiful. 

He  advanced  and  sate  down  by  the  table,  placing  his  hand  upon  it.  Several 
rings  sparkled  upon  his  fingers.  I  observed  that  he  was  pale,  and  that  his 
hand  trembled. 

After  looking  at  him  for  a  moment,  I  began  to  fancy  I  had  seen  the  features 
before.  It  was  not  Narcisso.  Him  I  should  have  known ;  and  yet  there  was 
a  resemblance  !  Yes,  he  even  resembled  her !  I  started  as  this  thought 
crossed  me.     I  strained  my  eyes  ;  the  resemblance  grew  stronger  I 

Oh,  heaven !  could  it  be  ? — dressed  thus ;  no,  no,  those  eyes — ha  !  I  re- 
member— the  boy  at  the  rendezvous — on  board  the  transport — the  island — 
the  picture !     It  is  she — the  cousin — Maria  de  Merced  .'" 

These  recollections  came  with  the  suddenness  of  a  single  thought,  and  passed 
as  quickly.  Later  memories  crowded  upon  me.  The  adventure  of  the  morn- 
ing— the  straage  words  uttered  at  the  window  of  my  prison — the  small  hand 
— this,  then,  was  the  author  of  our  deliverance  ! 

A  hundred  mysteries  were  explained  in  a  single  moment.  The  unexpected 
elucidation  came  like  a  shock — like  a  sudden  light.  I  staggered  back,  giving 
wajr  to  new  and  singular  emotions ! 

"  She  knows  nothing  of  my  presence  then.     She  is  innocent !" 

This  thought  alone  restored  me  to  happiness.  A  thousand  others  rushed 
through  my  brain  in  quick  succession.     Some  pleasant — others  painful. 

There  was  an  altercation  of  voices  over  my  head.  I  caught  the  iron  rods, 
and,  resting  my  toes  upon  a  high  bank,  swung  my  body  up,  and  again  looked 
into  the  room.     Dubrosc  was  now  pacing  angrily  over  the  floor. 

"  Bah  !"  he  ejaculated,  with  a  look  of  cold  brutality,  "  you  think  to  make 
me  jealous,  I  believe.  That  isn't  possible.  I  was  never  so,  and  you  can't  dc 
it.  I  know  ycu  love  the  cursed  Yankee.  I  watched  you  on  the  ship — on  the 
island,  to.     You  had  better  keep  him  company  where  he  is  going ;  ha  !  ha  • 


212  THE    RIFLE    RANGKKS. 

Jealous,  indeed  !    Your  pretty  cousins  have  grown  up  since  I  saw  them 

ASt." 

The  insinuation  sent  the  blood  through  my  veins  like  lava. 

It  appeared  to  produce  a  similar  effect  upon  the  woman,  for,  starting  Irom 
her  seat,  she  looked  towards  Dubrosc,  her  eye  flashing  like  globes  of  fire. 

"  Yes !"  she  exclaimed  ;  "  and,  if  you  dare  whisper  your  polluting  thoughts 
to  either  of  them — lawless  as  is  this  land — you  know  that  I  still  possess  the 
power  to  punish  you.  You  are  villain  enough,  heaven  knows,  for  anything , 
but  they  shall  not  fall ;  one  victim  is  enough  and  such  a  one !" 

"  Victim,  indeed  !"  replied  the  man,  evidently  cowed  by  the  other's  threat ; 
"you  call  yourself  victim,  Marie?  The  wife  of  the  handsomest  man  in 
Mexico?  ha!  ha!" 

There  was  something  of  irony  in  the  latter  part  of  the  speech,  and  the  em- 
phasis placed  on  the  word  "  wifp." 

"  Yes ;  you  may  well  taunt  me  with  your  false  priest,  you  unfeeling  wretch  ! 
Oh!  Santissima  Madre ."'  continued  she,  dropping  ba(^  into  her  chair,  and 
\  pressing  her  head  between-  her  hands ;  "^eguil,edj;;7-beggared — almost  un- 
\jexed  !  and  yet  I  never  loved  the  man.  It  was  not  love,  but  madness — mad- 
ness and  fascination !" 

The  last  words  were  uttered  in  soliloquy,  as  though  she  regarded  not  tho 
presence  of  her  companion. 

"  I  don't  care  a  claco !"  cried  he,  fiercely,  and  evidently  piqued  at  her 
declaration,  "  not  one  claco  whether  you  ever  loved  me  or  not.  That's  not  the 
question,  now,  but  this  is.  You  must  make  yourself  known  to  your  Croesus 
of  an  uncle  here,  and  demand  that  part  of  your  fortune  that  he  still  clutches 
within  his  avaricious  old  fingers.     You  must  do  this  to-morrow." 

"I  wiUnot!" 

"  But  you  shall,  or  — " 

The  woman  rose  suddenly,  and  walked  towards  the  door. 

"  No,  not  to-night,  dearest,"  said  Dubrosc,  grasping  her  rudely  by  the  arm. 
"  I  have  my  reasons  for  keeping  you  here.  I  noted  you  to-day  speaking  with 
that  cursed  Yankee ;  and  you're  just  traitor  enough  to  help  him  to  escape. 
I'll  look  to  him  myself;  so  you  may  stay  where  you  are.  If  you  should 
choose  to  rise  early  enough  to-morrow  morning,  you  will  have  the  felicity  of 
seeing  him  dance  upon  the  tight  rope.     Ila  !  ha !  ha  !" 

And,  with  a  savage  laugh,  the  Creole  walked  out  of  the  room,  locking  the 
door  behind  him. 

A  strange  expression  played  over  the  features  of  the  woman.     A  blending 


TUK    KIFLK    KANGltKS.  213 

of  triumph  with  anxiety.     She  ran  forward  to  the  window,  and,  pressing  her 
small  lips  close  to  the  glass,  strained  her  eyes  outward. 

I  held  the  diamond  in  my  fingers,  and  stretching  up  until  my  hand  was 
opposite  her  face,  I  wrote  the  word  "  Maria."  At  first  seeing  me,  she  had 
started  back.  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  My  comrades  were  already 
chafing  at  my  delay;  and,  joining  them,  we  crept  through  the  magueys, 
parting  the  broad,  stiff  leaves  with  our  fingers.  We  were  soon  upon  the  edge 
of  the  chapparal  wood.  I  looked  back  towards  the  window.  The  woman 
stood  holding  the  lamp,  and  its  light  was  full  upon  her  face.  She  had  read 
the  scrawl,  and  was  gazing  out  with  an  expression  I  shall  never  forgat 
Another  bound,  and  we  were  "  in  the  woods." 


/ 


CHAPTER    XLIV. 

THE    PURSDIT. 

Fob  a  time  there  was  a  strange  irresolution  in  my  flight.  The  idea  of 
leaving  har  in  such  company ;  that,  after  all,  they  might  be  prisoners,  or  even 
if  not,  the  thought  that  they  were  in  his  power,  to  any  extent,  was  enough  to 
render  me  wretched  and  irresolute.  Bnt  what  could  we  do?  Five  men, 
almost  unarmed  ? 

"  It  would  be  madness  to  remain — madness  and  death.  The  woman — she 
possesses  some  m3-sterious  pov^cr  over  this  brute,  her  paramour — she  will 
guard  them." 

This  thought  decided  me,  and  I  j-ielded  myself  freely  to  flight.  AVe  had 
but  liUle  fear  of  being  caught  again.  "Wo  had  too  much  confidence — particu- 
larly Lincoln  and  myself — in  our  forest  craft.  Raoul  knew  all  the  counrti-y, 
the  thickets  and  the  passes.  We  stopped  a  moment  to  deliberate  on  the  track 
we  would  take.  A  bugle  rang  out,  and  the  next  instant  the  report  of  a  can- 
non thundered  in  a  thousand  echoes  along  the  glen. 

"  It  is  from  the  hacienda,"  said  Raoul,  "  they  have  missed  us  already." 

"  Is  that  '  sign,'  Raoul  ?"  asked  Lincoln. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  other ;  "  it's  to  warn  their  scouts.  They're  all  over 
these  hills.     We  must  look  sharp." 

"  I  don't  like  this  3-eer  timber;  it's  too  scant.  Cudn't  yer  put  us  in  (he 
crik  bottom,  Rowl  ?" 

"  There's  a  heavy  chapparal,"  said  the  Fi'euchman,  musing ;  "  it's  ten  miles 
off.  If  we  could  reach  that  we're  safe — a  wolf  can  hardly  crawl  through  it. 
We  must  make  it  before  day." 

•'  Lead  on  then,  Raoul !" 


'iiih    UIKLK    KAjNGKIW.  215 

\Ye  stole  along  with  cautious  steps.  The  rustliug  of  a  leaf,  or  tiie  cracking 
of  a  dead  stick,  might  betray  us,  for  we  could  hear  signals  upon  all  sides,  and 
our  pursuers  passed  us  in  small  parties,  within  ear-shot. 

We  bore  to  the  right,  in  order  to  reach  the  creek  bottom,  of  which  Lincoln 
had  spoken.  We  soon  came  into  this,  and  foilowed  the  stream  down ;  but 
not  on  the  bank.  Lincoln  would  not  hear  of  our  taking  the  bank  path 
«rguing  that  our  pursuers  would  be  "sartin  ter  foller  the  clar  trail." 

The  hunter  was  right,  for,  shortly  after,  a  party  came  down  the  stream. 
We  could  hear  the  clinking  of  their  accoutrements,  and  even  the  conversation 
of  some  of  the  men. 

''  But,  in  the  first  place,  how  did  they  get  loose  within  ?  and  who  cut  the 
wall  from  the  outside,  unless  some  one  helped  them — carajo!  in's  not  pos- 
sible.'' 

"  That's  true,  Jose,"  said  another  voice.  "  Some  one  must ;  and  1  believe 
H  was  that  giant,  that  got  away  from  us  at  the  ranche.  The  shot  that  killed 
the  friar*  came  from  the  chapparal ;  and  yet  we  searched  and  found  nobody*' 
JLark  my  words,  it  was  he  ;  and  I  believe  he  has  hung  upon  our  track  ail  tl>e 
way." 

"  Vaya .'"  exclaimed  another.  "  I  shouldn't  like  much  to  be  under  the 
range  of  his  rifle ;  they  say  he  can  kill  a  mile  off,  and  hit  wherever  he  phrases 
lie  shot  the  suake  right  through  the  eyes !"  * 

"  By  the  Virgin  !"  said  one  of  tlse  guerilleros,  laughing,  "  ho  must  have  beoji 
a  snake  of  good  taste,  to  be  caught  toying  around  that  dainty  daughter  cf  tlie 
old  Spaniard  !  It  reminds  one  of  what  the  Book  tells  about  mother  Evi«  and 
the  old  Serpent.     Now  if  the  Yankee's  bullet — " 

We  could  hear  no  more,  as  the  voices  died  away  in  the  distance,  and  vxrider 
the  sound  of  the  water. 

"Ay,"  muttered  Lincoln,  finishing  the  sentence;  "  i-f  the  Yankee's  vmllet 
hadn't  been  needed  for  the  varmint,  some  o'  yer  wudn't  a  been  waggiu  yer 
clappers  as  jq  ir." 

"  It  -was  you,  then  ?"  I  asked,  turning  to  the  hunter. 

'•  'Twur,  Cap'n  ;  but  for  the  cussed  catawampus,  I  ud  a  gin  Mister  Dubrosc 
Ills  ticket.  I  hed  amost  sighted  him,  whun  I  seed  the  flash  o'  the  thing's 
eye,  an  1  knowed  it  wur  a  gwine  to  strike  the  gal." 

"  And  Jack?"  I  inquired,  now  for  the  first  time  thinlcing  of  the  boy. 

"  I  guess  he's  safe  enuf,  Cap'n.  T  sent  the.  little  feller  back  with  word  tci 
the  kurncl." 

*  Alluding  to  the  cobra. 


216  THK    KIB'LK    RANGEK8. 

"  Ha  !  then  we  may  expect  them  from  camp  ?" 

"  No  doubt  on  it,  Cap'n ;  but  yer  see  if  they  kum,  they  may  not  be  able  tc 
feller  us  beyond  the  ranche.  So  it'll  be  best  for  us  not  to  depend  on  them; 
but  ter  take  Rowl's  track." 

"  You  are  ri^ht.    Lead  on,  Raoul !" 

After  a  painful  journey,  we  reached  the  thicket  of  which  Raoul  had  spoken 
and,  dragging  ourselves  iato  it,  we  came  to  a  small  opening,  covered  witl 
long  dry  grass.  Upon  this  luxurious  couch  we  resolved  to  make  a  bivouac 
We  were  all  worn  down  by  the  fatigues  of  the  day  and  night  precedmg,  and 
throwing  ourselves  upon  the  grass,  in  a  few  minutes  were  asleep. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

A  NEW  AND  TERRIBLE  ENEMY. 

It  was  daylight  when  I  awoke — broad  daylight.  My  companions,  all  but 
Clayley,  were  already  astir,  and  had  kindled  a  fire,  with  a  species  of  wood 
known  to  Raoul,  that  produced  hardly  any  smoke.  They  were  preparing 
breakfast !  On  a  limb,  close  by,  hung  the  hideous  human-like  carcass  of  an 
Iguana,  still  writhing.  Raoul  was  whetting  a  knife  to  skin  it,  while  Lincohi 
was  at  some  distance  carefully  re-loading  his  rifle.  The  Irishman  lay  upon 
the  grass,  peeling  bananas,  and  roasting  them  over  the  fire. 

The  iguana  was  soon  skinned  and  broiled ;  and  we  commenced  eating;  all  of 
tts  with  good  appetites. 

"  Be  Saint  Pathrick !"  said  Chane,  "  this  bates  frog-atin  all  hollow. .  It's 
little  mesclf  dhramed  in  the  owld  sod,  hearin  of  thim  niggers  in  furrin  parts, 
that  I'd  be  turning  kannybawl  meself  some  day  !" 

•'  Don't  you  like  it,  Murtagh  ?"  asked  Raoul  jocosely. 

'■  Oh  !  indade  yes  ;  it's  betther  than  an  empty  brid-basket ;  but  if  yez  could 
only  taste  a  small  thrifle  ov  a  Wicklow  ham  this  mornin,  and  a  smilin  pratic, 
instid  of  this  brown  soap,  yez — " 

"  Ilisht !"  said  Lincoln,  starting  suddenly,  and  holding  the  bite  half  way  to 
lis  month. 

"  What  is  it  ?"  I  asked. 

"I'll  tell  yer  in  a  minit,  Cap'n." 

The  hunter  waved  his  hand  to  enjoin  silence,  and,  striding  to  the  edge  of 
I  lie  glade,  fell  tiat  to  the  ground.  We  knew  he  was  listening,  and  waited  foi 
tlic  result.  We  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  he  had  scarce  brought  his  ear  hi 
contact  with  the  earth,  when  he  sprang  suddenly  up  again,  exclaiming  : 

"  Hoiins  traUin  lis  by  the  Eternal  God .'" 


i.>IS  'IIIK    llWl.K    R.\x\(i|.KS. 

It  was  seldom  that  Lincoln  uttered  an  oath,  and  when  he  did,  there  was 
something  awful  in  his  manner.  He  wore  a  despairing  look  too,  unusual  to 
:he  bold  character  of  his  features.  This,  with  the  appalling  statement,  acted 
on  us  like  a  galvanic  shock  ;  and  by  one  impulse,  we  leaped  from  the  fire ; 
and  threw  ourselves  flat  upon  the  grass. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken,  as  we  strained  our  ears  to  listen. 

"  At  first,  we  could  distinguish  a  low  moaning  sound,  like  the  hum  of  & 
,vild  bee ;  it  seemed  to  come  out  of  the  earth !  After  a  little,  it  grew  louder 
iiid  sharper ;  then  it  ended  in  a  yelp,  and  ceased  altogether.  After  a  short 
ntcrval  it  began  afresh,  this  time  still  clearer ;  then  came  the  yelp,  loud 
harp,  and  vengeful.  There  was  no  mistaking  that  sound.  It  was  the  bark 
f  the  Spanish  blood-hound  ! 

"\Ye  sprang  up  simultaneously,  looking  around  for  weapons,  and  then  staring 
it  each  other,  with  an  expression  of  despair. 

The  rifle  and  two  case-knives  were  all  the  weapons  we  had. 

"  What's  to  be  done?"  cried  one;  and  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  Lincoln. 

The  hunter  stood  motionless,  clutching  his  rifle,  and  looking  to  the  ground. 

"  How  fur's  the  crik,  Rowl  V  he  asked  after  a  pause. 

"  Not  two  hundred  yards ;  this  way  it  lies." 

'•  I  kin  see  no  other  chance,  Cap'n,  than  ter  take  the  water ;  we  may  bam 
oozle  the  houns  a  bit,  if  tho  e's  good  wadin." 

"  Nor  I."     I  had  thought  •-f  the  same  plan. 

"  If  we  hed  hod  bowies,  w«  aiouter  fit  the  dogs  whar  we  u- ;  but  yer  see  we 
laint ;  an  I  kin  tell  by  thar  (  'owl,  thar  aint  less  nor  a  dozen  on  em." 

"  It's  no  ivse  to  remain  here  lead  us  to  the  Creek,  Raoul  I"'  and,  following 
he  Frenchman,  we  dashed  recklessly  throtigh  the  thicket. 

On  reaching  the  stream,  wc ,»  lunged  in.  It  was  one  of  those  mountain  tor- 
rents— common  in  Mexico — sp«<s  of  still  water  alternating  with  cascades,  that 
dash  and  foam  over  shapeless  masses  of  amygdaloidal  basalt.  V^e  waded 
'hrough  the  first  oool ;  and  tf"*n  clambering  among  the  rocks,  entered  a 
Becjnd.  This  was  a  good  stretch,  a  hundred  yards  or  more  of  crj-stal  water, 
.n  which  we  were  waist-deep. 

We  took  tlie  bank  at  the  lower  and,  on  the  same  side ;  and,  striking  back 
into  the  timber,  kept  on  parallel  to  the  cour.se  of  the  stream.  Wc  did  not  go 
ar  away  from  the  water,  lest  we  might  be  pushed  again  to  repeat  the  ruiSe. 

All  this  time,  the  yelping  of  the  blood-hounds  had  been  ringing  in  our  ears. 
Suddenly  it  ceased. 

"  They  have  reached  the  wrftcr,"  said  Clayley. 


'iriK    KIFLK    RANCJKRS.  219 

'  No,"  rejoined  Lincoln,  stopjiing  a  moment  to  listen,  "  they're  a,  chawin 
them  bones." 

"  There  again  !"  cried  one,  as  their  deep  voices  rang  down  the  glen,  in  a 
chorus  of  the  whole  pack.  The  next  minute,  the  dogs  were  mute  a  second 
time,  speaking,  at  intervals,  in  a  fierce  growl,  that  told  us  they  were  at  fault. 

Beyond  an  occasional  bark,  we  heard  nothing  of  the  blood-hounds,  until  we 
had  gained  at  least,  two  miles  down  the  stream.  We  began  to  think  we  bad 
baffled  them  in  earnest,  when  Lincoln,  who  "had  kept  in  the  rear,  was  seen  to 
throw  himself  flat  upon  the  grass.  We  all  stopped,  looking  at  him  with 
breathless  anxiety.  It  was  but  a  minute.  Rising  up,  with  a  reckless  air,  he 
struck  his  rifle  fiercely  upon  the  ground,  exclaiming : 

"  Swamp  them  houns  !  they're  arter  us  agin  !" 

By  one  impulse,  we  all  rushed  back  to  the  creek ;  and  scrambling  over  the 
rocks,  plunged  into  the  water,  and  commenced  wading  down. 

A  sudden  exclamation  burst  from  Raoul,  in  the  advance.  We  soon  learnt 
the  cause,  and,  to  our  dismay^ — we  had  struck  the  water  at  a  point  where  the 
stream  canoned ! 

On  each  side  rose  a  frowning  precipice,  straight  as  a  wall.  Between  these 
the  black  torrent  rushed  through  a  channel  only  a  few  feet  in  width,  so 
swiftly  that,  had  we  attempted  to  descend  by  swimming,  we  should  have  been 
dashed  to  death  against  the  rocks  below. 

To  reach  the  stream  farther  down,  it  would  be  necessary  to  make  a  circuit 
of  miles ;  and  the  hounds  would  be  on  our  heels  before  we  could  gain  three 
luindred  yards. 

We  looked  at  each  other  and  at  Lincoln — all  panting  and  pale. 

"  Stumped  at  last !"  cried  the  hunter,  gritting  his  teeth  with  fury. 

"  No  !"  I  shouted,  a  thought  at  that  moment  flashing  upon  me.  "  Follow 
me.  comrades  !     We'll  fight  the  blood-hounds  upon  the  cliff." 

I  pointed  upward.     A  yell  from  Lincoln  announced  his  approval. 

"  Hooray  1"  he  cried,  leaping  on  the  bank;  "  that  idee's  jest  like  yer,  Cap. 
Hooray  !     Now,  boys,  for  the  bluff !" 

Next  moment,  we  were  straining  up  the  gorge  that  led  to  the  precipice 
and  the  next,  we  had  reached  the  highest  point,  where  the  cliff,  by  a  bold 
pi'oJ3ction,  butted  over  the  stream.  There  was  a  level  platform,  covered  with 
ti..fted  grass,  and  upon  this  we  took  our  stand. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 


.E    WITH    BLOODHOUNDS. 


We  stood  for  some  moments  gathering  breath,  and  nerving  ourselves  for 
the  desperate  struggle.  I  could  not  help  looking  over  the  precipice.  It  was 
a  fearful  sight.  Below,  in  a  vertical  line,  two  hundred  feet  below,  the  stream 
rushing  through  the  canon  broke  upon  a  bed  of  sharp,  jagged  rocks,  and  then 
glided  on  in  seething,  snow-white  foam.  There  was  no  object  between  the 
eye  and  the  water  ;  no  jutting  ledge — not  even  a  tree  to  break  the  fall, — no- 
thing but  the  spiky  boulders  below,  and  the  foaming  torrent  that  washed 
them  ! 

It  was  some  minutes  before  our  unnatural  enemies  made  their  appeariuico, 
but  every  howl  sounded  nearer  and  nearer.  Our  trail  was  warm,  and  we 
knew  they  were  scenting  it  on  a  run.  At  length,  the  bushes  crackled,  and 
we  could  see  their  white  breasts  gleaming  through  the  leaves.  A  few  more 
springs,  and  the  foremost  blooodhound  bounded  out  upon  the  bank,  and 
throwing  up  his  broad  jaws,  uttered  a  hideous  "  growl." 

He  was  at  fault  where  we  had  entered  the  water.  His  comrades  now 
dashed  out  of  the  thicket,  and,  joining  in  a  chorus  of  disappointment,  scattered 
among  the  stones. 

An  old  dog — scarred  and  cunning — kept  along  the  bank  until  he  had 
reached  the  top  of  the  cafion.  This  was  where  we  had  made  our  crossing. 
Here  the  hound  entei-ed  the  channel,  and  springing  from  rock  to  rock,  reaclnd 
the  point  where  we  liad  dragged  ourselves  out  of  the  water.  A  short  yelp 
announced  to  his  comrades  that  he  had  lifted  the  scent,  and  they  all  threvv  up 
their  noses  and  came  gallopping  down. 


TIIK    i;lFI.K    KANfJKMR.  221 

There  was  a  swift  current  between  two  boulders  of  basalt.  We  had  leapea 
this.  The  old  dog  reached  it,  and  stood  straining  upon  the  spring,  when  Lin- 
coln fired,  and  the  hound,  with  a  short  "  wough,"  dropped  in  upon  his  head, 
and  was  carried  oflf  like  a  flash ! 

"  Counts  one  less  to  pitch  over,"  said  the  hunter,  hastily  reloading  his 
rifle. 

Without  appearing  to  notice  the  strange  conduct  of  their  leader,  the  others 
crossed  in  a  string,  and,  striking  the  warm  trail,  came  yelling  up  the  pass.  It 
was  a  grassy  slope — such  as  is  often  seen  between  two  tables  of  a  clifl" — and, 
as  the  dogs  strained  upward,  we  could  see  their  white  fangs,  and  the  red  blood 
that  had  baited  them  clotted  along  their  jaws.  Another  crack  from  Lincoln's 
rifle,  and  the  foremost  hound  tumbled  back  down  the  gorge. 

"  Two  rubbed  out,"  cried  the  hunter,  and  at  the  same  moment,  I  saw  him 
fling  his  rifle  to  the  ground. 

The  hounds  kept  the  trail  no  longer.  Their  quarry  was  before  them  ;  their 
howling  ended,  and  they  sprang  upon  us  with  the  silence  of  the  assassin.  The 
next  moment  we  were  mingled  together— dogs  and  men — in  the  fearful  strug. 
lile  of  life  and  death  ! 

I  know  not  how  long  this  strange  encounter  lasted.  I  felt  myself  grappling 
nith  the  tawny  monsters,  and  hurling  them  over  the  cliff.  They  sprang  at 
my  throat,  and  I  threw  out  my  arms,  thrusting  them  fearlessly  between  the 
shining  rows  of  teeth.  Then  I  was  free  agam,  and  seizing  a  leg,  or  a  tail,  or 
the  loose  flaps  of  the  neck,  I  dragged  a  savage  brute  towards  the  brink,  and, 
summoning  all  my  strength,  dashed  him  against  the  brow,  that  he  might 
tumble  howling  over. 

Once  I  lost  my  balance,  and  nearly  staggered  over  the  precipice ;  and  at 
length,  panting,  bleeding,  and  exhausted,  I  fell  to  the  earth.  I  could  struggle 
no  longer.  I  looked  around  for  my  comrades.  Clayley  and  Raoul  had  sunk 
upon  the  grass,  and  lay  torn  and  bleeding.  Lincoln  and  Chane  holding  a 
hound,  were  balancing  him  over  the  bluff. 

"  Now,  Murter,"  cried  the  hunter ;  "  giv  him  a  good  heist,  and  see  if  we  kin 
pitch  him  clar  on  tother  side  ;  hee-woop — hoo  i" 

Anu  vrll'ii  this  ejaculation  the  kicking  animal  was  launched  into  the^ir.  I 
could  not  resist  looking  after.  The  yellow  body  bounded  from  the  face  of  the 
opposite  cliff,  and  fell  with  a  heavy  plash  upon  the  water  below. 

lie  was  the  last  of  the  pack  ! 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 


AN    INDIAN    ROSE 


A  WILD  shou^  JiovT  drew  our  attention,  and,  looking  up  the  creek,  we  saw 
our  pursuers  just  debouching  from  the  woods.     They  were  all  mounted,  and 
pressing  their  mustangs  down  to  the  bank,  they  halted,  with  a  strange  cry. 
"  What  is  that,  Raoul  ?  can  you  tell  the  meaning  of  that  cry?" 
"  They  are  disappointed.  Captain.     They  must  dismount,  and  foot  it,  liko 
ourselves ;  there  is  no  crossing  for  horses." 

"  Good.  Oh  !  if  we  had  but  a  rifle  each !  This  pass—"  I  looked  down  tha 
gorge,  y^s  could  have  defended  it  against  the  whole  party ;  but  we  were 
unarmed. 

The  guerilleros  now  dismounted,  tying  their  horses  to  the  trees,  and  pre- 
paring to  cross  over.  One,  who  seemed  to  be  their  leader— judging  from  his 
brilliant  dress  and  jilumes — had  already  advanced  into  the  stream,  and  stood 
upon  a  projecting  ro.k,  with  his  sword  drawn.  He  was  not  more  than  three 
hundred  yards  from  ihe  position  we  occupied  on  the  bluff. 

"Do  j^ou  think  y.n  can  reach  him?"  I  said  to  Lincoln,  who  had  re- 
loaded his  rifle,  and  .stood  eyeing  the  Mexican,  apparently  calculating  the 
distance. 

"I'm  feerd.  Gxp'n,  he's  too  fur.  I'd  guv  a  half  year's  sodgcr-pay  for  a 
crock  out  o'  the  iMajor's  I  >utch  gun.  We  kin  loose  nothin  in  trym.  Murter. 
will  yer  stan  afore  me  ?  ihar  aint  no  kiver,  an  the  feller's  watchm.  Ue'll 
dodge  like  a  duck,  if  he  sees  me  takin  sight  on  im." 

Chane  threw  his  large  body  in  front ;  and  Lincoln,  cautiously  slipping  his 
rifle  over  his  comradc'5  shoulder,  sighted  the  Mexican. 

The  latter  had  noticed  the  manoeuvre  ;  and,  perceiving  the  danger  he  had 
thrust  himself  into,  was  about  turning  to  leap  down  from  the  rock,  when  the 
rifle  cracked — his  plumed  hat  flew  off,  and,  throwing  out  his  arms,  lie  feil 


T}IK    KIFI.E    KANGKRS.  22o 

with  a  dead  plun.oc  upon  tlie  water  !  The  next  moment  his  body  was  sucket 
into  the  current  ;  and.  followed  b}'  his  hat  and  phmies,  was  borne  down  tht 
caflon  with  tlie  velocity  of  lightning ! 

Seveial  of  his  comrades  uttered  a  cry  of  terror ;  and  those  who  had  followec 
him  out  into  the  open  channel,  ran  back  towards  the  bank,  holding  them 
selves  behind  the  rocks.  A  voice,  louder  than  the  rest,  was  heard  ex 
claiming — 

■■  Carajo  !  guarda- 'S—esta  el  rifle  del  diahlo  P^  (Look  oat!  it  is  th 
devil's  rifle.) 

It  was  doubtless  th<  comrade  of  Jose,  who  had  been  in  the  skirmish  of  Lr 
Virgen,  and  had  felt  <  he  bullet  of  the  spitz-n&del. 

The  guerilleros,  awed  by  the  death  of  their  leader— for  ''  c  waf  Yaflez  whc 
had  fallen — crouched  behind  the  rocks.  Even  those  who  nad  i  eraained  with 
the  horses— six  hundred  yards  off— sheltered  themselvjs  beriind  trees  and 
projections  of  the  bank !  The  party  nearest  us  kept  loading  and  firing  their 
escopettes.  Their  bullets  flattened  upon  the  face  of  the  cliff  or  whistled  over 
our  heads.  Clay  ley,  Chane,  Raoul,  and  myself,  being  unarmed,  had  thrown 
ourselves  behind  the  scarp,  to  avoid  '•  catching  a  stray  shot." 

Not  so  Lincoln,  who  stood  boldly  out  on  the  highest  point  of  the  bluff,  as 
if  disdaining  to  dodge  their  bullets.  I  never  saw  a  man  so  completely  soanng 
above  the  fear  of  death.  There  was  a  sublimity  about  him  that  I  remember 
being  struck  with  at  the  time ;  and  I  remember,  too,  feeling  the  inferiority  of 
my  own  courage.  It  was  a  stupendous  picture,  as  he  stood  like  a  colossus 
clutching  his  deadly  rifle,  and  looking  over  his  long  brown  beard  at  the 
skulking  and  cowardly  foe.  He  stood  without  a  motion — without  even 
winking— although  the  leaden  hail  hurtled  past  his  head,  and  cut  the  grass  &' 
his  feet^  with  that  peculiar  "zip-zip,"  so  well  remembered  by  the  soldier,  wh< 
has  passed  the  ordeal  of  a  battle  ! 

There  was  something  in  it  awfully  grand— awful  even  to  us— no  wonder 
that  it  awed  our  enemies. 

I  was  about  to  call  upon  Lincoln  to  fall  back,  and  shelter  him.sclf,  when  I 
saw  him  throw  up  his  rifle  to  the  level.  The  next  instant  ho  dropped  thf 
butt  to  the  ground,  with  a  gesture  of  disappointment.  A  moment  after,  th( 
manoeuvre  was  repeated,  with  a  similar  result ;  and  I  could  hear  the  huntei 
gritting  his  teeth. 

"  The  cowardly  skunks  !"  muttered  he,  ''  they  keep  a-gwine  like  a  ball's 
tail  in  fly-time." 

In  fact,  every  time  Lincoln  brought  his  piece  to  a  level,  the  gucriilero* 
ducked,  until  not  a  head  could  be  seen. 


'224-  Thi     iMil.i     i;an<;h;.-;. 

"  They  ain't  as  good  as  thar  own  dogs."  continucil  tlie  liiniter.  turning  a\ray 
from  the  clift".  "  If  we  hed  a  whccn  of  loose  ronks,  Cnjrn.  wu  niont  keep  thctn 
down  thar  till  doom-day." 

A  movement  was  now  visible  among  the  gueriileros.  About  one  half  of  the 
party  were  seen  to  mount  their  horses,  and  gallop  off  up  the  creek. 

"  They're  gone  round  by  the  ford,"  said  Raoul,  "  it's  not  over  a  mile  and  a 
half.  They  can  cross  with  their  horses  there ;  and  will  be  on  us  in  half  an 
hour  1" 

What  was  to  be  done  ?  There  was  no  timber  to  hide  us  now — no  ::hap- 
paral !  The  country  behind  the  cliff  was  a  sloping  table,  with  here  and  there 
a  stunted  palm-tree,  or  a  bunch  of  Spanish  bayonet*  This  would  be  no 
shelter,  for,  from  the  point  we  occupied — the  most  elevated  on  the  ridge — we 
could  have  descried  an  object  of  human  size  five  miles  off.  Here  the  woods 
began ;  but  could  we  reach  them  before  our  pursuers  would  overtake  us  ? 

Had  the  gueriileros  all  gone  off  by  the  ford,  we  should  have  returned  to 
the  creek  bottom ;  but  a  party  remained  below,  and  we  were  cut  off  from 
our  former  hiding-place.     We  must,  therefore,  strike  for  the  woods. 

But  first  decoy  the  party  below,  else  they  would  be  after  us ;  and  experi- 
ence had  taught  us  that  these  Mexicans  could  run  like  hares. 

This  was  accomplished  by  an  old  Indian  trick,  that  both  Lincoln  and  myself 
had  practiced  before.  It  would  not  have  "  fooled"  a  Texan  Ranger,  but  it 
succeeded  handsomely  with  the  gueriileros. 

We  first  threw  ourselves  on  the  ground,  in  such  a  position  Chat  only  our 
heads  could  be  seen  by  the  enemy,  who  still  kept  blazing  away  from  their 
oscopettes.  After  a  short  while,  our  faces  graduallj^  sunk  behind  the  crest  of 
the  ridge,  until  nothing  but  our  forage  caps  appeared  above  the  sward.  We 
lay  thus  for  some  moments,  showing  a  face  or  two  at  intervals.  Our  time  was 
precious ;  and  we  could  not  perform  the  pantomime  to  perfection ;  but  we 
were  not  dealing  with  Comanches,  and  for  "  Don  Diego"  it  was  sufficientl}' 
artistical. 

Presently  we  slipped  our  heads,  one  by  one,  out  of  their  covers,  leaving  the 
five  caps  upon  the  grass,  inclining  to  each  other  in  the  most  natural  positions. 
We  then  stole  back,  lizard-fashion,  and  after  sprawling  a  hundred  yards  or  so. 
sprang  to  our  feet  and  ran  like  scared  dogs.  We  could  tell  that  wg  had  duped 
the  party  below,  as  we  heard  them  firing  away  at  our  empty  caps,  long  after 
we  had  left  the  scene  of  our  late  adventure  ! 

*  The  name  of  a  peculiar  aid  verj  beautiful  palmetto,  founil  in  both  Mexico  and  Um 
United  States. 


CHAPTER    XLVin. 
A  COUP  d'eclair. 

Many  an  uneasy  look  was  thrown  over  our  snoulders,  as  we  struggled 
down  that  slope.  Our  strength  was  urged  to  its  upmost ;  and  this  was  not 
much,  for  we  had  all  lost  blood  in  our  encounter  with  the  sleuth-hounds  ;  and 
felt  weak  and  faint. 

We  were  baffled,  too,  by  a  storm — a  fierce  tropical  storm.  The  rain,  thick 
and  heavy,  plashed  in  our  faces,  and  made  the  ground  slippery  under  our  feet. 
The  lightning  flashed  in  our  eyes,  and  the  electric  sulphur  shortened  our 
breathing.  Still  we  coughed,  and  panted,  and  staggered  onward  ;  nerved  by 
the  knowledge  that  death  was  behind  us. 

I  shall  never  forget  that  fearful  race.  I  thought  it  would  never  end.  I  can 
only  liken  it  to  one  of  those  dreams,  in  which  we  are  always  making  endeavors 
to  escape  from  some  horrible  monster,  and  are  as  often  hindered  by  a  strange 
and  mysterious  helplessness.  I  remember  it  now  as  then.  I  have  often 
repeated  that  flight  in  my  sleep,  and  always  awoke  with  a  feeling  of  shud- 
dering horror. 

We  had  got  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  timber.  Five  hundred  yards 
is  not  much  to  a  fresh  runner  ;  but  to  us  toiling  along  at  a  trot,  that  much 
more  resembled  a  walk,  it  seemed  an  infinity.  A  small  prairie,  with  a  stream 
beyond,  separated  us  from  the  edge  of  the  woods — a  smooth  sward  without  a 
single  tree.  We  had  entered  upon  it — Raoul,  who  was  light  of  foot,  being  in 
the  advance,  while  Lincoln,  from  choice,  hung  in  the  rear. 

An  exclamation  from  the  hunter  caused  us  to  look  back.  We  were  too 
much  fatigued  and  worn  out  to  be  frightened  at  the  sight.     Along  the  crest 


226  TIIK    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

of  the  hill  an  hundred  horsemen  were  dashing  after  us,  in  full  gallop ;  and, 
the  next  moment,  their  vengeful  screams  were  ringing  in  our  ears  ! 

"  Now,  do  yer  best,  boys,"  cried  Lincoln,  "  an  I'll  stop  the  cavortin  of  that 
ere  foremost  feller,  afore  he  gits  much  furrer." 

We  trailed  our  bodies  on,  but  we  could  hear  the  guerilleros  fast  closmg 
upon  us.  The  bullets  from  their  escoppottes  whistled  in  our  ears,  and  cut  the 
grass  among  our  feet.  I  saw  Raoul,  who  had  reached  the  timber,  turn  sud- 
denly round,  and  walk  back.     He  had  resolved  to  share  our  fate. 

"  Save  yourself,  Raoul !"  I  called  with  my  weak  voice ;  but  he  could  not 
have  heard  me,  above  the  din.  I  saw  him  still  walking  toward  us.  I  heard 
the  screams  behind ;  I  heard  the  shots,  and  the  whizzing  of  bullets,  and  the 
fierce  shouts.  « 

I  heard  the  clatter  of  hoofs,  and  the  rasping  of  sabres,  as  they  leaped  cut  of 
their  iron  sheaths ;  and  among  these,  I  heard  the  crack  of  Lincoln's  rifle,  and 
the  wild  yell  of  the  hunter!  Then  a  peal  of  thunder  drowned  all  other 
sounds — the  heavens,  one  moment,  seemed  on  fire,  then  black,  black.  I  felt 
the  stifling  smell  of  sulphur — a  hot  flash — a  quick  stroke  f-om  some  invisiblo 
hand,  and  I  sank  senseless  to  the  earth ! 

Something  cool  in  my  throat,  and  over  my  face,  brought  back  the  con 
Rciousness  that  I  lived.  It  was  water.  I  opened  my  eyes,  but  it  was  some 
moments  before  I  could  see  that  Raoul  was  bending  over  me,  and  laving  my 
temples  with  water  from  his  boot ! 

I  muttered  some  half-coherent  inquiries. 

*  It  was  a  coiip  (Vedair,  Captain,"  said  Raoul. 

Good  heavens  !      We  had  been  stTnick  by  lightning  ! 

Raoul,  being  in  the  advance,  had  escaped. 

The  Frenchman  left  me  and  went  to  Clayley,  who,  with  Chane  and  the 
hunter,  lay  close  by — all  three,  as  I  thought,  dead.  They  were  pale  as 
corpses,  with  here  and  there  a  spot  of  purple,  or  a  livid  line  traced  over  their 
skins,  while  their  lips  presented  the  whitish  bloodless  hue  of  death! 

"  Are  they  dead  ?"  I  asked  feebly. 

'•  I  think  not — we  shall  see  ;"  and  the  Frenchman  poured  some  water  into 
Claylcy's  mouth. 

The  latter  sighed  heavily,  and  appeared  to  revive.  Raoul  passed  on  to  the 
hunter,  who,  as  soon  as  he  felt  the  water,  started  to  his  fcet,  and  clutching  his 
comrade  fiercely  by  the  throat,  exclaimed  : 

"  Yer  cussed  catamount !  yer  wud  hang  me.  wud  yer  ?" 


TiiK    iMKi  1-:    i;  a\(!i<:ks.  227 

Seeing  who  it  was.  he  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked  round  with  an  air  of 
extreme  bewilderment.  Ilis  eye  now  fell  upon  the  rifle  ;  and  all  at  once 
seeming  to  recollect  himself,  he  staggered  toward  it,  and  picked  it  up.  Th.m, 
as  if  by  instinct,  he  passed  his  hand  into  his  pouch,  and  coolly  commen<  ed 
loading  ! 

While  Raoul  was  busy  with  Clayley  and  the  Irishman,  I  had  risen  to  i  \y 
feet,  and  looked  back  over  the  prairie.  The  rain  was  falling  in  torrents,  a?  d 
the  lightning  still  flashed  at  intervals.  At  the  distance  of  fifty  paces  a  black 
mass  was  lying  upon  the  ground,  motionless — a  mass  of  men  and  horsesi, 
mingled  together  as  they  had  fallen  in  their  tracks !  Here  and  there  a  singl" 
horse  and  his  rider  lay  prostrate  together.  Beyond  these,  twenty  or  thirty 
horsemen  were  gallopping  in  circles  over  the  plain,  and  vainly  endeavoring  tc 
head  their  frightened  'isteeds  towards  the  point  where  we  were.  These,  like 
Raoul,  had  escaped  the  stroke. 

"  Come,"  cried  the  Frenchman,  who  had  now  resuscitated  Clayley  anc' 
Chane,  "  we  have  not  a  moment  to  lose.  The  mustangs  will  get  over  thei: 
fright,  and  these  fellows  will  be  down  upon  us." 

His  advice  was  instantly  followed,  and,  before  the  {^lerilleros  could  manag* 
their  scared  horses,  we  had  entered  the  thicket,  and  were  crawling  aloitg 
ander  the  wet  leaves. 


CHAPTER    XLIX. 

A    BRIDGE    OP    MONKEYS, 

RiiOOL  thought  that  their  superstition  might  prevent  the  enemy  from  pur- 
suing us  further.  They  would  consider  the  lightning  as  an  interference  from 
above.  But  we  had*  little  confidence  in  this ;  and,  notwithstanding  our 
exhaustion,  toiled  on  through  the  chapparal.  Wearied  with  over-exertion,  half 
famished — for  we  had  only  commenced  eating  when  roused  from  our  repast — 
wet  to  the  skin,  cut  by  the  bushes,  and  bitten  by  the  poisoned  teeth  of  the 
blood-hounds,  blinded,  and  bruised,  and  bleeding,  we  were  in  but  poor  tra- 
velling condition. 

Even  Lincoln,  whose  buoj^ancy  had  hitherto  borne  up,  appeared  cowed  and 
broken.  For  the  first  mile  or  two  he  seemed  vexed  at  something,  and  "  out 
of  sorts,"  stopping  every  now  and  again,  and  examining  his  rifle  in  a  kind  of 
bewilderment. 

Feeling  that  he  was  once  more  "  in  the  timber  "  he  began  to  come  to 
himself. 

"  Thet  sort  o'  an  enemys  new  ter  me,"  he  said,  speaking  to  Raoul.  "  Dog- 
gone the  thing !  it  makes  the  airth  look  j-ellcr  !" 

'You'll  see  better  by  and  b)^e,"  replied  his  comrade. 

"  I  had  need  ter,  Rowl,  or  I'll  butt  my  brainpan  agin  one  of  these  yecr 
saplins.     Whooh  !  I  cudn't  sight  a  bar,  if  we  were  to  scare  him  up  jest  now. 

About  five  miles  farther  on,  we  reached  a  small  stream.  The  storm  had 
abated,  but  the  stream  was  swollen  with  the  rain,  and  we  could  not  cross  it. 
We  were  now  a  safe  distance  from  our  pursuers — at  least  we  thought  so — and 
we  resolved  to  "  pitch  our  camp"  upon  the  bank. 


THK    KIKI.K    KANGKliS.  220 

This  was  a  simple  operation,  and  consisted  in  pitching  ourselves  to  the 
ground,  under  the  shade  of  a  spreading  tree.  Kaoul,  who  was  a  tireless  spirit, 
kindled  a  fire,  and  commenced  knocking  down  the  nuts  of  the  corozo  palm, 
that  hung  in  clusters  over  our  heads.  We  dried  our  wet  garments,  and 
Lincoln  set  about  dressing  our  numerous  wounds.  In  this  surgical  process, 
crur  shirts  suffered  severely ;  but  the  skill  of  the  hunter  soothed  our  swelling 
limbs,  and,  after  a  frugal  dinner  upon  palm-nuts  and  pitahayas,  we  stretched 
ourselves  along  the  green  sward,  and  were  soon  asleep. 

I  was  in  that  dreamy  state — half  sleeping,  half  waking — when  I  was 
aroused  by  a  strange  neise,  that  sounded  like  a  multitude  of  voices — the  voices 
of  children.  Raising  my  head,  I  perceived  the  hunter  in  the  attitude  of  listen- 
ing.' 

"  What  is  it,  Bob  ?"  I  inquired 

"Dod  rot  me  if  I  kin  tell,  Cap'n !  Yeer,  Rowl !  what's  all  this  jeer 
hannerin  ?" 

"It's  the  cotnadreja,"  muttered  the  Frenchman,  half  asleep, 

"  The  comb  o'  Nick !     Talk  sense,  Rowl— what  is  it  ?" 

"Monkeys,  then,"  replied  the  latter,  waking  up,  and  laughing  at  his  com- 
panion. 

'  Thar's  a  good  grist  on  em,  then,  I  reckin,"  said  Lincoln,  throwing  himself 
back  unconcernedly. 

"  They  are  coming  towards  the  stream  ;  they  will  most  likely  cross  by  the 
rocks  yonder,"  observed  Raoul. 

"  How — swim  it  ?"  T  asked.     "  It  is  a  torrent  there !" 
Oh,  no,"  answered  the  Frenchman  ;  "  monkeys  would  rather  go  into  fire 
than  water.     If  they  cannot  leap  the  stream,  they  will  bridge  it." 

'  Bridge  it !  and  how  1" 

"  Stop  a  moment,  Captain — you  shall  see." 

The  half-human  voices  now  sounded  nearer,  and  we  could  perceive  that  the 
ar.imals  were  approaching  the  spot  where  we  lay.  Presently  they  appeared 
upon  the  opposite  bank,  headed  by  an  old  grey  chieftain,  and  ofBcered  like  so 
many  soldiers.  Thej'  were,  as  Raoul  had  stated,  of  the  comadreja]  or  ring- 
tailed  tribe. 

One — an  aide-camp,  or  chief  pioneer,  perhaps — ran  out  upon  a  projecting 
rock,  and,  after  looking  carefully  across  the  stream,  as  if  calculating  the  dis- 
tance, scampered  back,  and  appeared  to  coraunmicate  with  the  leader.  This 
produced  a  movement  in  the  troop.  Commands  were  issued,  and  fatigue 
parties  were  detailed,  and  marched  to  the  front.     Meanwhile,  several  of  the 


i!;;>«)  THK    lai'I.K    RANGERS. 

comadrejas — engineers,  no  doubt — ran  along  the  bank,  examining  the  trees  on 
both  sides  of  the  arroyo. 

At  length,  they  all  collected  around  a  tall  cottonwood,  that  grew  over  the 
narrowest  part  of  the  stream,  and  twenty  or  thirty  of  them  scampered  up  its 
trunk.  On  reaching  a  high  point,  the  foremost — a  strong  fellow — ran  out 
upon  a  limb,  and,  taking  several  turns  of  his  tail  around  it,  slipped  off,  and 
hung  head  downwards.  The  next  on  the  limb — also  a  stout  one — climbed 
down  the  body  of  the  first,  and  whipping  his  tail  tightly  around  the  neck  and 
fore  arm  of  the  latter,  dropped  off  in  his  turn,  and  hung  head  down.  The 
third  repeated  this  manoeuvre  upon  the  second,  and  the  fourth  upon  the  third, 
and  so  on,  until  the  last  one  upon  the  string  rested  his  fore  paws  upon  the 
ground ! 

The  living  chain  now  commenced  swinging  backwards  and  forwards,  like 
the  pendulum  of  a  clock.  The  motion  was  slight  at  first,  but  gradually 
increased,  the  lowermost  minkey  striking  his  hands  violently  on  the  earth  as 
he  passed  the  tangent  of  the  oscillating  curve.  Several  others  upon  the  limbs 
above  aided  the  movement. 

This  continued  until  the  monkey  at  the  end  of  the  chain  was  thrown  among 
the  branches  of  a  tree  on  the  opposite  bank.  Here,  after  two  or  three  vibra- 
tiont,  he  clutched  a  limb,  and  held  fast.  This  movement  was  executed 
adroitly,  just  at  the  culminating  point  of  the  oscillation,  in  order  to  save  the 
intermediate  links  from  the  violence  of  a  too  sudden  jerk ! 

The  chain  was  now  fast  at  both  ends,  forming  a  complete  suspension  bridge, 
over  which  the  whole  troop,  to  the  number  of  four  or  five  hundred,  passed 
with  the  rapidity  of  thought ! 

It  was  one  of  the  most  comical  sights  I  ever  beheld,  to  witness  the  quizzicai 
expression  of  countenances  along  that  living  chain  ! 

The  troop  was  now  on  the  other  side,  but  how  were  the  animals,  forming 
the  bridge,  to  get  themselves  over?  This  was  the  question  that  suggested 
itself.  Manifestly,  by  number  one  letting  go  his  tail.  But  then  the  point 
iVappui  on  the  other  side  was  much  lower  down,  and  number  one,  with  half-a- 
dozcn  of  his  neighbors,  would  be  dashed  against  the  opposite  bank,  or  soused 
into  the  water. 

Here,  then,  was  a  problemn,  and  we  waited  with  some  curiosity  for  its  so- 
lution. It  was  soon  solved.  A  monkey  was  now  seen  attaching  his  tail  to 
the  lowest  on  the  bridge ;  another  girdled  him  in  a  similar  manner,  and  another, 
and  so  on,  until  a  dozen  more  were  added  to  the  string.  These  last  were  all 
powerful  fellows;  and,  running  up  to  a  high  limb,  they  lifted  the  bridge  into 
a  position  almost  horizontal. 


TIIK    lUVl.K    IiAN(".KR.-!.  231 

Then  a  scream  from  the  last  monkey  of  the  new  formation  warned  the  tail 
end  that  all  was  ready  ;  and  the  next  moment  the  whole  chain  was  swung 
over,  and  landed  safely  on  the  opposite  bank.  The  lowermost  links  now 
dropped  off  like  a  melting  candle,  while  the  higher  ones  leaped  to  the  branches, 
and  came  down  by  the  trunk.  The  whole  troop  then  scampered  off  into  the 
chapparal,  and  disappeared ! 

"  Aw,  be  the  powers  of  Moll  Kelly  !  av  thim  little  crayteurs  hasn't  more 
sinse  than  the  humans  av  these  parts.  It's  a  quare  counthry,  any  how.  B.i 
me  sowl !  it  bates  Bannagher  intirely  1" 

A  general  laugh  followed  the  Irishman's  remarks ;  and  we  all  sprang  to 
our  feet,  refreshed  by  our  sleep,  and  lighter  in  spirits. 

The  storm  had  disappeared,  and  the  sun,  now  setting,  gleamed  in  upon  us 
through  the  broad  leaves  of  the  palms.  The  birds  were  abroad  once  more — 
brilliant  creatures — uttering  their  sweet  songs.  Parrots  and  troupiales 
flashed  around  our  heads,  and  chattered  in  the  branches  above.  The  stream 
had  become  fordable,  and,  leaving  our  "  lair,"  we  crossed  over,  and  struck  into 
the  woods  'm  the  opposite  side. 


CHAPTER   L. 

THE  JAK0CH08. 

We  headed"  toward  the  National  Bridge.  Raoul  hud  a  friend — half  way  on 
the  route,  an  old  comrade  upon  whom  he  could  depend.  We  should  find 
refreshment  there ;  and,  if  not  a  bed  a  roof  and  a  petate.  Ilis  ranche  was  in  a 
secluded  spot,  near  the  road  that  leads  to  the  rinconada  of  San  Martin.  Wc 
should  not  be  likely  to  meet  any  one,  as  it  was  ten  miles  off;  and  it  would  be 
late  when  we  reached  it. 

It  was  late,  near  midnight,  when  we  droppfrl  in  upon  the  contrabandista — 
for  such  was  the  friend  of  Raoul — but  he  an^  his  fixmily  were  still  astir,  under 
*he  light  of  a  very  dull  wax  candle. 

Jose  Antonio  *,hat  was  his  name,  was  a  little  "  sprung"  at  the  five  bare 
headed  appariticus  that  ^-rst  so  suddenly  upon  him  ;  but  recognising  Raoul. 
w"  were  cordially  w  1.     Our  host  was  a  spare,  bony,  old  fellow,  in 

leathern  jacket  and  calsoneros,  with  a  keen  shrewd  eye,  that  took  in  our  situ- 
ation at  a  single  glance,  and  saved  the  Frenchman  a  great  deal  of  explanation. 
Notwithstanding  the  cordiality  with  which  his  friend  received  him,  I  noticed 
that  Raoul  seemed  uneasy  about  something,  as  he  glanced  around  the  room  ; 
for  the  ranche — a  small  cane  structure — had  only  one. 

There  were  two  women  stirring  about — the  wife  of  the  conti-abandista.  and 
Ills  daughter,  a  plump  good-looking  girl  of  eighteen  or  thereabout 

"  No  han  cenado,  caballerns  ?"  (You  have  not  supped,  gentlemen) 
in(iuired,  or  rather  affirmed,  Jose  Antonio,  for  our  looks  had  answered  the 
question  before  it  was  asked. 

"  A7  comino — ni  almorzado?''  (Nor  dined;  Nor  breakfasted);  replied 
Raoul  with  a  grin. 


-      -  THK    KTFIJO    IIANGKRS,  233 

Carrambo  !  '—Rafaela — Jesusila .'"  shouted  pur  host,  with  a  sign  ;  such 
as,  among  the  Mexicans,  often  conveys  a  whole  chapter  of  intelligence.  The 
effect  was  magical.  It  sent  Jesusita  (Little  Jesus)  to  her  knees  before  the 
tortilla  stones ;  and  Rafaela,  Jose's  wife,  seized  a  string  of  tassajo,  and  plunged 
it  into  the  olla.  Then  the  little  palm-leaf  fan  was  handled  ;  and  the  charcoa.' 
blazed  and  crackled ;  and  the  beef  boiled ;  and  the  black  beans  simmered ; 
and  the  chocolate  frothed  up,  and  we  all  felt  happy  under  the  prospect  of  a 
savory  supper. 

It  may  appear  strange  to  some  Christians,  when  they  learn  that  the  name 
of  the  Saviour  is  much  used  as  a  surname  among  the  Mexicans.  Such,  how- 
ever, is  the  fact ;  and  what  is  equally  strange  to  a  Saxon  foreigner,  it  is  used 
indifferently  as  far  as  regards  sex.  Men  as  well  as  women  carry  this  appel- 
lation. 

Tasajo,  or  jerk  beef  is  much  used  in  all  Spanish  countries  where  salt  is 
scarce.  It  is  beef  cured  by  being  cut  into  long  strings  and  dried  in  the  sun. 
It  is  generally  eaten  in  hashes,  stews,  &c.,  and  cooked  by  the  Mexicans  with 
chile  Colorado,  is  not  bad  eating.  It  frequently,  however,  by  its  smell,  sug- 
gests unpleasant  ideas  of  decomposition. 

I  think  that  any  one  who  has  spent  a  week  among  the  Mexican  peasantry 
will  recognise  these  little  incidents.  Cooking  is  accomplished  almost  every- 
where by  charcoal.  This  proceeds  from  the  scarcity  of  fuel  in  nearly  all  parts 
of  the  country.  There  are  no  chimneys  therefore,  as  there  is  no  smoke. 
There  are  no  grates  nor  stoves,  and  no  great  fires  for  people  to  warm  them- 
selves at.  The  climate  does  away  with  the  necessity  of  these  things.  There 
are  not  a  dozen  houses  in  Mexico  where  you  might  sit  by  a  fire — except  in 
their  kitchens — and  the  few  fire-places  I  have  seen  were  luxuries  of  the 
wealthy,  kept  for  some  peculiar  visit  from  the  northern  winds.  In  the  cot- 
tage you  find  a  bank  of  painted  mason-work  as  high  as  a  table.  It  is  fre- 
quently in  the  centre  of  the  cottage  in  the  cane  huts  of  the  tierra  caliente 
but  oftener  built  against  the  side.  Several  square  holes,  nine  inches  square 
are  sunk  on  the  top  and  near  the  edge  ;  and  from  the  bottoms  of  these,  small 
Apertures  run  out  horizontally  to  the  sides  of  the  bank.  The  charcoal  is 
placed  in  these  little  wells  and  ignited.  It  is  fanned  by  means  of  the  hori 
zontal  apertures  below.  This  structure  thct.  is  a  brazero,  found  in  almost 
every  IMexican  house ;  of  course  larger  and  containing  a  greater  number  of 
charcoal  wells,  in  the  kitchens  of  the  wealthy. 

I  had  noticed  that,  notwithstanding  all  the  bright  prospects  of  a  good 
supper,  Raoul  seemed  uneasy.     In  the  corner  I  discovered  the  cause  of  hia 


' 


234  THE    UIFI.K    RANGERS. 

solicitude,  in  tlie  shape  of  a  small  spaie  man,  wearing  the  shovel  hat,  and 
biack  capote  of  a  priest.  I  knew  that  mj'  comrade  was  not  partial  to  priests, 
and  that  he  would  sooner  have  trusted  Satan  himself  than  one  of  the  tribe ; 
and  I  attributed  his  uneasiness  to  this  natural  dislike. 

'•  AVho  is  he,  Antone  ?"  I  heard  him  whisper  to  the  contrabandista. 
"•  The  cure  of  San  Martin,"  was  the  reply. 
'  lie  is  new,  then  ''  said  Raoul. 

''  Hovibre  de  bien,''^  (a  good'  man)  answered  the  Mexican,  nodding  as  he 
spoke. 

Raoul  seemed  satisfied,  and  remained  silent. 

I  could  not  help  noticing  the  "  hombre  de  bien"  myself;  and  no  more  could 
I  help  fancying,  after  a  short  observation,  that  the  ranche  was  indebted  for 
the  honor  of  his  presence,  more  to  the  black  eyes  of  Jesusita,  that  to  any 
zespL  oii  his  part,  regarding  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  contrabandista. 

There  was  a  villanous  expression  upon  his  lip,  as  he  watched  the  girl  moving 
over  the  floor ;  and,  once  or  twice,  I  caught  him  scowling  upon  Chane,  who, 
ra  his  usual  Irish  way,  was  "  blarneying  "  with  her,  and  helping  her  to  fan 
ihe  charcoal. 

"  Where's  the  Padre  ?"  whispered  Raoul,  to  our  host. 
"  lie  was  in  the  Rinconada  this  morning." 
•'  In  the  Riaconada  !"  exclaimed  the  Frenchman,  starting. 
"  They're  gone  down  to  the  bridge.     The  band  has  had  a  fandango  (as 
our  battles  were  jocularly  termed  by  the  jMexicans),  with  your  people,  and 
lost  some  men.     They  say  they  have  killed  a  good  many  stragglers  along 
the  road." 

"  So  he  was  in  the  Rinconada,  you  say  ?  and  this  morning  too  ?"  inquired 
Raoul,  in  a  half  soliloquy,  and  without  heeding  the  last  remarks  of  the  con- 
trabandista. 

"  We've  got  to  look  sharp  then,"  he  added. 

"  There's  no  danger,"  replied  the  other,  "  if  you  keep  from  the  road. 
Your  people  have  already  reached  El  Plan,  and  are  preparing  to  attack 
the  Pass  of  the  Cerro.  El  Cojo*  they  say,  has  twenty  thousand  men  to 
defend  it." 

During  this  dialogue,  which  was  carried  ou  whispers,  I  had  noticed  the 
httle  Padiic  shifting  about  uneasily  on  his  seat.  At  its  conclusion  he  rose  up, 
and  bidding  our  host  "  buenas  noches .'"  was  about  to  withdraw,  when  Lin 

t  "  The  lamo  one,"  a  name  given  in  derision  to  Santa  Anna,  and  given  by  his  own 
eountrymon,  in  whoso  cause  ho  lost  tbo  very  leg  which  has  rendered  him  eligible  to  tho 
appellation. 


THK    IMKI.K    ItANGKBS.  235 

poln,  who  had  been  quietly  eyeinpj  him  for  some  time,  with  that  sharp  search 
rig  look  peculiar  to  men  of  his  kidney,  jumped  up,  and  placing  himself  before 
the  door,  exclaimed  in  a  drawling  emphatic  tone, 

'"Ab,  yer  don't  /" 

"  Que  cosa?"  (what's  the  matter  ?)  asked  the  Padre  indignantly. 

"  Kay  or  no  Kay — Cosser  or  no  Cosser — yer  don't  go  out  o'  here,  afore  we 
do.     Rowl,  axe  yer  friend  for  a  piece  o'  twine,  will  yer  ?" 

The  Padre  appealed  to  our  host,  and  he,  in  turn,  appealed  to  Raoul.  The 
Mexican  was  in  a  dilemma.  lie  dared  not  offend  the  Cure,  and,  on  the  other 
hand,  he  did  not  wish  to  dictate  to  his  old  comrade  Raoul,  Moreover,  the 
fierce  hunter,  who  stood  like  a  huge  giant  in  the  door,  had  a  voice  in  the 
matter  ;  and  therefore  Jose  Antonio  had  three  minds  to  consult  at  one  time. 

''  It  aint  Bob  Linkin  id  infringe  the  rules  of  hospertality,"  said  the  hunter 
"  but  this  yeer's  a  peculiar  case — an  I  don't  like  the  look  of  that  ar  priest,  no 
how  yer  km  fix  it." 

Raoul,  however,  sided  with  the  contrabandista,  and  explained  to  Lincoln 
that  the  Padre  was  the  peaceable  cure  of  the  neighboring  village,  and  the 
friend  of  Don  Antonio ;  and  the  hunter,  seeing  that  I  did  not  interpose — foi 
at  the  moment  I  was  in  one  of  those  moods  of  abstraction,  and  scarcely 
noticed  what  was  going  on — permitted  the  priest  to  pass  out.  I  was  recalled 
to  myself,  more  by  some  peculiar  expressions,  which  I  heard  Lincoln  mutter- 
ing, after  it  was  over,  than  by  the  incidents  of  the  scene  itself. 

The  occurrence  had  rendered  us  all  somewhat  uneasy ;  and  we  resolved 
upon  swallowing  our  suppers  hastily,  and,  after  pushing  forward  some  dis- 
tance, to  sleep  in  the  woods. 

The  tortillas  were  now  ready,  and  the  pretty  Jesusita  was  pouring  out  the 
chocolate ;  so  we  set  to  work  like  men  who  had  appetites. 

The  supper  was  soon  dispatched,  but  our  host  had  some  puros  in  the  house 
— a  luxury  we  had  not  enjoyed  lately  ;  and  hating  to  hurry  away  from  such 
comfortable  quarters,  we  determined  to  stay,  and  take  a  smoke. 

"We  had  hardly  lit  our  cigars,  when  Jesusita,  who  had  gone  to  the  door 
came  hastily  back,  exclaiming : 

"  Papa — papa  !  haxj  gcntefuera .'"     (Papa,  there  are  people  outside). 

As  we  sprang  to  our  feet,  several  shadows  appeared  through  the  opo- 
walls.  Lincoln  seized  his  rifle,  and  ran  to  the  door.  The  next  moment  he 
rushed  back,  shouting  out.' 

"  Hell !  I  told  yer  so." 


2ot)  THE   RIFLK    RANGKR*. 

And,  dashing  his  huge  body  against  the  back  of  the  ranche,  he  broke 
through  tha  cane  pickets  with  a  crash  ! 

We  were  hastening  to  follow  him,  when  the  frail  structure  gave  way  ;  and 
we  found  ourselves  buried,  along  with  our  host  and  his  women,  under  a  heavy 
thatch  ofiule  (a  species  of  gigantic  rushes)  and  palm  leaves. 

We  heard  the  crack  of  our  comrade's  rifle  without — the  scream  of  a  victim 
— the  reports  of  pistols  and  escopettes — the  yelling  of  savage  men — and  then, 
the  roof  was  raised  again ;  and  we  were  pulled  out  and  dragged  down  among 
the  trees  and  tied  to  eir  trunks  aTi  taunted  and  goaded,  and  kicked  and 
euffed,  by  the  most  villanous  looking  set  of  desperadoes,  it  has  ever  been  my 
misfortune  to  fall  among.  They  seemed  to  take  a  delight  in  abusing  us — yell- 
ing all  the  while,  like  so  many  demons  let  loose. 

Our  late  acquaintance — the  cure — was  among  them  ;  and  jt  was  plain  that 
he  had  brought  the  party  on  us.  His  "  reverence"  looked  high  and  low  {f»- 
Lincoln ;  but,  to  his  great  mortification,  the  hunter  had  escaped. 


CHAPTER  LT. 

PADRE   JARA0TA. 

We  were  not  long  in  learning  into  whose  hands  we  had  fallen ;  for  tae 
name,  "  Jarauta,"*  was  on  every  tongue.  They  were  the  dreaded  Jarochoa 
of  the  bandit  priest. 

''  "We'rr  in  for  it  now,"  said  Raoul,  deeply  mortified  at  the  part  he  had 
taken  in  the  affair  with  the  cure.  "  It's  a  wonder  they  have  kept  us  so  long. 
Perhaps  Jie^s  not  here  himself,  and  they're  waiting  for  him." 

As  Raoul  said  this,  the  clatter  of  hoofs  sounded  along  the  narrow  road ;  and 
a  horseman  came  gallopping  up  to  the  ranche,  riding  over  everything  and 
everybody,  with  a  perfect  recklessness. 

•'  That's  Jarauta,"  whispered  Raoul.  "  If  he  sees  ??ie— but  it  don't  matter 
much,"  he  added,  in  a  lower  tone,  "  we'll  have  a  quick  shrift  all  the  same :  he 
can't  more  than  hang — and  that  he'll  be  sure  to  do." 

"  Where  are  these  Yankees  ?"  cried  Jarauta,  leaping  out  of  his  saddle. 

"  Here,  Captain,"  answered  one  of  the  Jarochos,  a  hideous  looking  griffe, 
dressed  in  a  scarlet  uniform,  and  apparently  the  lieutenant  of  the  band. 

"  How  many  ?" 

"  Four,  Captain." 

"  Very  well — what  are  you  waiting  for  ?" 

"  To  know  whether  I  shall  hang  or  shoot  them." 

"  Shoot  them,  by  all  means !  Carrambo  !  we  have  no  time  for  neck-stretch- 
u,g  !" 

"  TLcre  are  some  nice  trees  here.  Captain,"  suggested  another  of  the  buml, 
with  as  much  coolness  as  if  he  had  been  conversing  about  the  hanging  of  so 
Pronounced  Harouta 


238  THE    KIFLE    RANGERS. 

man}'  dogs.  He  wished — a  curiosity  not  uncommon — to  witness  the  spectacle 
of  hanging. 

"  Madre  de  '^los  !  stupid.  I  tell  you  we  havn't  tiwie  for  such  s-illy  sport. 
Out  with  you  there.  Sanchez  !  Gabriel !  Carlos !  send  your  bullets  through 
their  Saxon  skulls.     Qi.\;k  !" 

Several  of  the  Jarochos  commenced  unslinging  their  carbines,  while  those 
who  guarded  us  fell  back,  to  be  out  of  range  of  the  lead. 

"  Come,"  exclaimed  Raoul,  ''  it  can't  be  worse  than  this — we  can  only  die ; 
and  I'll  let  the  Padre  know  whoi>;  he  has  got.  before  I  take  leave  of  him— a 
souvenir  that  won't  make  him  sleep  any  sounder  to-night.  Oyez  !  Hmirt 
Jarauta^^''  continued  he.  calling  out  in  a  tone  of  iron}' ;  '•  have  you  found, 
Marguerita  yet  ?" 

TVe  could  see  between  us  and  the  dim  rushlight  that  the  Jarocho  started, 
as  if  a  shot  had  passed  through  his  heart ! 

•'  Hold !"  he  shouted  to  the  men,  who  were  about  taking  aim,  ''  trail  those 
scoundrels  hither !    A  light  there — fire  the  thatch  !     Vaya  !" 

In  a  moment,  the  hut  of  the  contrabandista  was  in  flames,  the  dry  palm- 
leaves  blazing  up  like  flax. 

"  Merciful  Heaven  !  they  are  going  to  roast  21s  /" 

With  this  horrible  apprehension,  we  were  dragged  up  toward  the  burning 
pile,  close  to  which  stood  our  fierce  judge  and  executioner. 

The  bamboos  blazed  and  crackled,  and,  under  their  red  glare,  we  could  now 
see  our  captors  with  a  terrible  distinctness.  A  more  demon-like  set,  T  think, 
could  not  have  been  found  anywhere  out  of  the  infernal  regions. 

Most  of  them  were  Zamboes*  and  Mestizoes,!  and  not  a  few  pure  Africans 
of  the  blackest  hue,  maroons  from  Cuba,  and  the  Antilles,  many  of  them  with 
their  fronts  and  cheeks  tatooed.  adding  to  the  natural  ferocity  of  their  features. 
Their  coarse  woolly  hair  sticking  out  in  matted  tufts,  their  white  teeth,  set  in 
savage  grins,  their  strange  armor  and  grotesque  attitudes,  their  wild  and 
picturesque  attire,  formed  a  coup  d^ccil  that  might  nave  pleased  a  painter  in 
his  studio,  but  which,  at  the  time,  had  no  charm  for  us. 

There  were  Pintos  among  them,  too — spotted  men  from  the  tangled  forests 
of  Acapulco — pied  and  .speckled  with  blotches  of  red.  and  black  and  white, 
.ike  iiounds  and  horses.  They  v\-cre  the  first  of  this  race  I  had  ever  seen,  and 
tJicir  unnatural  complexions,  even  at  this  fearful  moment,  impressed  me  with 
feelings  of  disgust  and  loathing.  There  exists  a  vast  tribe  of  these  strange 
men  in  a  district  of  the  tierra  calicnte^  near  Acapulco.     They  can  scarcely  bo 

*  Zanibo— half  Indian,  lialf  ne^ro  +  Mesti/.oe,  lialf  Tndian.  half  Spanish. 


TriK    lilMJ.;    KANdKKS.  239 

saiJ  to  belong  to  the  Mexican  government,  as  the  only  man,  whose  authority 
they  care  a  chxco  for,  is  General  Alvarez,  an  old  Indian,  who  is  himself  quite 
as  odd  a  character  as  any  one  of  the  Pintos.  Alvarez  obeyed  the  call  of  his 
government  during  the  late  war,  and,  collecting  about  three  thousand  Indians, 
among  whom  there  was  a  sharp  "sprinkling"  of  Pintos,  turned  the  rear  of 
our  army  at  Puebla,  and  followed  us  up  into  the  valley  of  Mexico,  without 
striking  a  blow  ;  and  yet  these  Pintos  and  Indians  of  Alvarez  are  represented 
by  the  Mexicans  as  fierce  and  warlike !  Alvarez  frequently  gets  up  a  pro- 
nunciamento  against  the  grovernment ;  and  they  have  not  been  able  hitherto 
to  interfere  either  with  him,  or  his  spotted  warriors. 

A  single  glance  at  this  motley  crew  would  have  convinced  us,  had  we  not 
been  quite  sure  of  it  already,  that  we  had  no  favors  to  expect.  There  was 
not  a  countenance  among  them  that  exhibited  the  slightest  trait  of  grace,  or 
mercy.  No  such  expression  could  be  seen  around  us,  and  we  felt  satisfied 
that  our  time  was  come 

The  appearance  of  their  leader  did  not  shake  this  conviction.  Revenge  and 
hatred  were  playing  upon  his  sharp  sallow  features,  and  his  thin  lips  quivered 
with  an  expression  of  malice,  plainly  habitual.  His  nose,  like  a  parrot's  beak, 
had  been  broken  by  a  blow,  which  added  to  its  sinister  shape ;  and  his  small 
black  eyes  twinkled  with  metallic  brightness. 

He  wore  a  purplish-colored  manga,  that  covered  his  whole  body  and  his 
feet  were  cased  in  the  red  leather  boots  of  the  country,  with  heavy  silver  spurs 
strapped  over  them.  A  black  sombrero,  with  its  band  of  gold  bullion,  and 
tags  of  the  same  material,  completed  the  tout  ensemble  of  his  costume.  He 
wore  neither  beard  nor  moustache,  but  his  hair,  black  and  snaky,  hung  down 
trailing  over  the  velvet  embroidery  of  his  manga — which  is  a  most  beautiful 
and  graceful  garment,  peculiar,  I  believe  to  JMexico. 

This  frarracnt  resembles  the  scrape,  in  one  thing.  Both  have  a  vent,  through 
which  the  head  is  thrust,  leaving  the  garment  to  rest  upon  the  shoulders. 
Around  this,  the  manga  is  always  embroidered  and  braided,  over  a  circle  of 
two  feet  in  diameter.  The  serape  is  only  a  blanket-shaped  article,  while  the 
manga  is  fashioned  something  after  the  style  of  a  circle  cloak.  It  is  uniform 
in  color ;  in  this  again  difiering  from  the  serape,  which  is  speckled  like  a 
carpet.  The  color  of  the  manga  is  often  very  gay.  Purple  ones  are  frequently 
seen,  and  even  red.  Black  and  blue  are  common.  The  manga  is  rare,  not 
being  worn  so  commonly  as  the  serape.  It  is  costly,  and  requires  some  art  in 
the  making  up  ;  still,  you  will  meet  with  it  now  and  then,  and  often  covering 


240  Till-:    UIH.K.    KANGKRS. 

the  shoulders  of  a  common  ranchero.  It  is  a  picture  to  see  a  fine-looking 
specimen  of  the  ranchero,  dressed  in  one  of  these  graceful  robes. 

Such  was  the  Padre  Jarauta. 

Raoul's  face  was  before  him,  upon  which  he  looked  loi  some  moments 
without  speaking.  liis  features  twitched,  as  if  under  galvanic  action,  and  we 
could  see  that  his  fingers  jerked  in  a  similar  manner. 

They  were  painful  memories  that  could  produce  this  effect  upon  a  heart  of 
such  iron  deviltry  ;  and  Raoul  alone  knew  them.  The  latter  seemed  to  enjoy 
the  interlude,  for  he  lay  upon  the  ground,  looking  up  at  the  Jarocho  with  a 
smile  of  triumph  upon  his  reckless  features  ! 

We  were  expecting  the  next  speech  of  the  Padre,  to  be  an  order  for  flinging 
us  into  the  fire,  which  now  burned  fiercely.  Fortunately,  this  fancy  did  not 
seem  to  strike  him  just  then. 

"  Ila  !  Monsieur,"  exclaimed  he  at  length,  approaching  Raoul.  "  I  dreamt 
that  you  and  I  would  meet  again — I  dreamt  it — ha — ha — ha  !  it  was  a  pleas- 
ant dream,  but  not  half  so  j^leasant  as  the  reality  ;  ha  !  ha !  ha !  Don't  ynu 
think  so  ?"  he  added,  striking  our  comrade  over  the  face  with  a  mule  quirt.* 
'*  Don't  you  think  so  ?"  he  repeated,  lashing  him  as  before,  while  his  eyes 
sparkled  with  a  fiendish  malignity. 

"  Did  you  dream  of  meeting  Marguerita  again  ?"  inquired  Raoul  with  a 
satirical  laugh,  that  sounded  strange,  even  fearful,  under  the  circumstances. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  expression  of  the  Jarocho  at  that  moment.  His 
sallow  face  turned  black,  his  lips  white,  his  eyes  burned  like  a  demon's,  and 
springing  forward  with  a  fierce  oath,  he  planted  his  iron-shod  heel  upon  the 
face  of  our  comrade.     The  skin  peeled  off,  and  the  blood  followed. 

There  was  something  so  cowardly — so  redolent  of  a  brutal  ferocit}'-  iu  the 
act,  that  I  could  not  remain  quiet.  With  a  desperate  wrench,  I  fj-eod  my 
hands,  skinning  my  wrists  in  the  effort,  and,  flinging  myself  upon  him,  I 
clutched  at  the  monster's  throat. 

He  stepped  back  ;  my  ankles  were  tied,  and  I  fell  upon  my  face  at  his  feet. 

"  IIo  !  ho  !"  cried  he,  "  what  have  we  here  ?  An  officer,  eh?  Come !"  he 
continued,  "  rise  up  from  your  pra3'ers,  and  let  me  look  at  you ;  ha,  a  Captain ! 
and  this  ?  a  Lieutenant  !*  Gentlemen,  you're  too  dainty  to  be  shot  like  cou)- 
riion  dogs ;  we'll  not  let  the  wolves  have  you ;  we'll  put  you  out  of  their 

*  A  Bpecies  of  nhip  without  anj  handle,  except  a  band  of  leather  that  fastens  it  to  tlw 
hand. 


'in;!;  kiflk  u angers.  241 

reach  ;  ha  ! — ha ! — ha  !  Out  of  reach  of  wolves  do  you  hear  ?  And  what's 
this  ?  continued  he,  turning  to  Chane,  and  examining  his  shoulders.  "  Bah. 
soldado  raso,  Irlctrides  too,  carajo  .'*  What  do  you  do  fighting  among  these 
heretics  against  your  own  religion.  There,  renegade !"  and  he  kicked  tht 
Irishman  in  the  ribs. 

"  Thank  yer  honner,"  said  Chane,  with  a  grunt,  "small  fayvors  thankfullj 
resaved ;  much  good  may  it  do  yer  honner !" 

"  Here  Lopez  !"  shouted  the  brigand. 

"  Now  for  the  fire  !"  thought  we. 

"  Lopez,  I  say  !"  continued  he,  calling  louder. 

'•  Aca — aca  /"  answered  a  voice,  and  the  Lieutenant  who  had  guarded  us» 
came  up,  swinging  his  scarlet  manga. 

"  Lopez,  these  I  perceive  are  gentlemen  of  rank  5  and  we  must  usher  them 
into  h —  a  little  more  gracefully,  do  you  hear  ?" 

*'  Yes,  Captain,"  answered  the  griffe,  with  stoical  composure. 

"  Over  the  cliffs,  Lopez.  Facilis  descensus  averni — but  you  don't  undei 
«tand  Latin,  Lopez.     Over  the  cliffs,  do  you  hear  ?     You  understand  that  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain,"  repeated  the  Jarocho,  moving  only  his  lips. 

'•  You  will  have  them  at  the  Eagle's  Cave,  by  six  in  the  morning ;  by  six. 
do  you  hear  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain,"  again  replied  the  subordinate. 

"  And  if  any  of  them  is  missing — is  missing,  do  you  hear  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

"  You  will  take  his  place  in  the  dance  —  the  dance,  ha — ha — ha  I  You 
understand  that,  Lopez  ?" 

"Yes,  Captain." 

'•Enough  then,  good  Lopez — handsome  Lopez,  beautiful  Lopez;  enough, 
and  good  night  to  you  !" 

So  saying,  the  Jarocho  drew  his  quirt  several  times  across  the  red  cheek 
of  Raoul ;  and,  with  a  curse  upon  his  lips,  he  leaped  upon  his  mustang  and 
galloped  off. 

Whatever  might  be  the  nature  of  the  punishment  that  awaited  us  at  the 
fiagle's  Cave,  it  was  evident  that  Lopez  had  no  intention  of  becoming  proxy 
for  any  of  us.  This  was  plain  from  the  manner  in  which  he  set  about  secur- 
ing us.  "We  were  first  gagged  with  bayonet  shanks,  and  then  dragged  oui 
into  the  bushes. 

*  He  knew  our  rank  from  the  deeignations  npon  our  shoulder-straps. 
t  A  private,  an  Irishman  too. 


242 


THE    EIFLE    RANGERS. 


Here  we  were  thrown  upon  our  backs,  eacliof  us  in  the  centre  of  four  trees 
that  formed  a  parallelogram.  Our  arms  and  legs  were  stretched  to  their  full 
extent,  and  tied  severally  to  the  trees ;  and  thus  we  lay,  spread  out  like  raw 
hides  to  dry.  Our  savage  captors  drew  the  cords  so  taut,  that  our  joints 
cracked  under  the  cruel  tension.  In  this  painful  position,  with  a  Jaraclio 
standing  over  each  of  us  we  passed  the  remainder  of  the  night. 


CHAPTER  LTI. 

A    HANG   BY    THK    HEELS. 

It  was  a  long  nigh-t — the  longest  I  can  remember :  a  night  that  fully  illus 
tratod  the  horror  of  monotony.  I  can  compare  our  feelings  to  those  of  one 
under  the  influence  of  the  nightmare.  But  no — worse  than  that.  Our  sav- 
age sentries  occasionally  sate  down  upon  our  bodies,  and,  lighting  their  ciga- 
rettes, chatted  gaily,  while  we  groaned  !  We  could  not  protest ;  we  were 
gagged.  But  it  would  have  made  little  difference  ;  they  would  only  have 
mocked  us  the  more. 

We  lay  glaring  upon  the  moon,  as  she  coursed  through  a  cloudy  heaven. 
The  wind  whistled  through  the  leaves,  and  its  melancholy  moaning  sounded 
like  our  death-dirge.  Several  times  during  the  night  I  heard  the  howl  of  the 
prairie  wolf,  and  I  knew  it  was  Lincoln ;  but  the  Jarochos  had  pickets  all 
around  ;  and  the  hunter  dared  not  approach  our  position.  He  could  not  have 
helped  ue. 

The  morning  broke  at  last ;  and  we  were  taken  up,  and  tied  upon  the  backs 
of  vicious  mules,  and  hurried  off  through  the  woods.  We  travelled  for  some 
distaTice  along  a  ridge,  until  we  had  reached  its  highest  point,  where  the  cliff 
beetled  over.  Here  we  were  unpacked  and  thrown  upon  the  grass.  About 
thirty  of  the  Jarochos  guarded  us,  and  we  now  saw  them  under  the  broad 
light  of  day,  but  they  did  not  look  a  whit  more  beautiful  than  on  the  preced- 
ing night. 

Lopez  was  at  their  head,  and  never  relaxed  his  vigilance  for  a  moment.  It 
was  plain  that  he  considered  the  padre  a  man  of  his  word. 

An  exclamation  from  one  of  the  men  drew  our  attention ;  and,  looking 
around,  we  perceived  a  band  of  horsemen  straggling  up  the  hill  at  a  slow  gal- 
lop.    It  was  Jarauta,  with  about  fifty  of  his  followers. 

"  Buenos  dias,  cahalleros  /"*  cried  he,  in  a  mocking  tone,  leaping  down 

*  "  Good  day,  gentloman,"  the  usual  morning  salutation.  There  is  no  "  good  morn- 
ing" in  Spanish  ;  the  words  "  buena  maiiaa,"  which  signify  that,  never  passing  the  lipi 
»f  a  Spaniard. 


244-  THE    KIFLK    KANGEE8. 

and  approaching  us  :  "I  hope  you  passed  the  night  comfortably.  Lopea,  I 
am  sure,  provided  you  with  good  beds.     Didn't  you,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain,"  answered  the  laconic  Lopez. 

"  The  gentlemen  rested  well,  didn't  they,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

'•  No  kicking,  or  tumbling  about,  eh  ?" 

"  No,  Captain.?' 

"  Oh  !  then  they  rested  well ;  it's  a  good  thing ;  they  have  a  long  journey 
before  them — haven't  they,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

"  I  hope,  gentlemen,  you  are  ready  for  the  road.  Do  you  think  you  are 
■  ready  ?" 

As  each  of  us  had  the  shank  of  a  bayonet  between  his  teeth,  besides  being 
tied  neck  and  heels,  it  is  not  likely  that  this  interrogatory  received  a  reply ; 
nor  did  his  reverence  expect  any,  as  he  continued  putting  similar  questions  in 
quick  succession,  appealing  occasionally  to  his  Lieutenant  for  an  answer. 

The  laiier,  who  was  of  the  taciturn  school,  contented  himself,  and  his  supe- 
rior too,  with  a  simple  "  yes,"  or  '"  no."  Up  to  this  moment,  we  had  no 
knowledge  of  the  fate  that  awaited  us.  We  knew  we  had  to  die — that  wo 
knew ;  but  in  what  way,  we  were  still  ignorant.  I,  for  one,  had  made  up  my 
mind  that  the  Padre  intended  pitching  us  over  the  cliffs. 

"We  were  at  length  enlightened  upon  this  important  point.  We  were  not  to 
take  that  awful  leap  into  eternitj^,  which  I  had  been  picturing  to  myself.  A 
fate  more  horri  ble  still  awaited  ua.    We  were  to  be  hanged  over  the  precipice ! 

As  if  to  aid  tht  monster  in  his  inhuman  design,  several  pine  trees  grew  out 
horizontally  from  tiK  edge  of  the  cliff;  and  over  the  branches  of  these,  the 
Jarochos  commenced  reeving  their  long  lassos.  Expert  in  the  handling  of 
ropes,  as  all  Mexicans  are,  they  were  not  long  in  completing  their  prepara- 
tions, and  we  soon  beheld  our  gallows.  What  they  can  accomplish  with  ropes 
and  cords  is  almost  incredible.  I  had  a  Mexican  servant,  a  mere  lad,  who 
could  lash  my  chests  quicker  and  firmer,  and  more  sure  not  to  come  undone, 
than  could  be  accomplished  by  any  two  of  our  soldiers.  I  have  seen  them  tie 
up  the  '  bois  de  vache'  in  ropes,  and  thus  carry  it  upon  the  backs  of  donkeys ; 
and  I  vras  almost  tempted  to  believe  them  capable  of  that  feat  hitherto  deemed 
impossible,  of  tying  up  sand  in  a  rope, 

"  According  to  rank,  Lopez,"  cried  Jaurata,  seeing  that  all  Wa"  ready  ;  the 
Captain  first — do  you  hear  V 


niK    l^iM.K    KAM.kltS.  245 

"  Yes,  Captain,"  answered  the  imperturbable  brigand  who  superintended 
the  operations. 

"  I  shall  keep  you  to  the  last,  Monsieur,"  said  the  Priest,  addressing  Raoul ; 
"  you  will  have  the  pleasure  of  briiiging  up  the  rear  in  your  passage  through 
Purgatory.     Ha— ha — ha!     "Won't  he,  Lopez?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

•'Maybe  some  of  you  would  like  a  priest,  gentlemen,."  This  Jarauta 
uttered  with  an  ironical  grin  that  was  revolting  to  behold.  "If  you  would," 
he  continued,  "  say  so.  I  sometimes  officiate  in  that  capacity  myself.  Don't 
I,  Lopez  ?" 

-  Yes,  Captain." 

A  diabolical  laugh  burst  from  the  Jarochos,  who  had  dismounted,  and  were 
standing  out  upon  the  cliff,  the  better  to  witness  the  spectacle  of  our  hang- 
ing. 

"  Well,  Lopez,  does  any  one  of  them  say  '  yes'  ?" 

"  No,  Captain." 

"  Ask  the  Irishman  there  ;  ask  him ;  he  ought  to  be  a  good  Catholic." 

The  question  was  put  to  Chane ;  in  mockery,  of  course  ;  for  it  was  impos- 
sible for  him  to  answer  it ;  and  yet  he  did  answer  it,  for  his  look  spoke  a 
curse,  as  plainly  as  if  it  had  been  uttered  through  a  trumpet.  The  Jarochos 
did  not  heed  that,  but  only  laughed  the  louder. 

"  Well,  Lopez,  what  says  St.  Patrick'?     'Yes'  or  '  no'?" 

" '  No,'  Captain." 

And  a  fresh  peal  of  ruffian  laughter  rang  out.  The  rope  was  placed  around 
my  neck  in  a  running  noose.  The  other  end  had  been  passed  over  the  tree, 
and  lay  coiled  near  the  edge  of  the  cliff.  Lopez  held  it  in  his  hand  a  short 
distance  above  the  coil,  in  order  to  direct  its  movements. 

"  All  ready  there,  Lopez  ?"  cried  the  leader. 

"Yes,  Captain." 

"  Swing  off  the  Captain,  then — no,  not  yet ;  let  him  look  at  the  floor  on 
which  he  is  going  to  dance ;  that  is  but  fair ." 

I  had  been  drawn  forward,  until  my  feet  projected  over  the  edge  of  tho 
precipice,  and  close  to  the  root  of  tho  tree.  I  was  now  forced  into  a  sitting 
posture,  so  that  I  might  look  below,  my  limbs  hanging  over.  Strange  to  say, 
I  could  not  resist  doing  exactly  what  my  tormentor  wished.  Under  other 
circumstances  the  sight  would  have  been  to  me  appalling ;  but  my  nerve» 
were  strung  by  the  protracted  agony  I  had  been  forced  to  endure. 


246  THE    KIFLE    K ANGERS. 

The  precipice,  on  whose  verge  1  sate,  formed  a  side  of  one  of  those  yawning 
gulfs  common  in  Spanish  America,  and  known  by  the  name  hm-rancas.  It 
seemed  as  if  a  mountain  had  been  scooped  out  and  carried  away.  Not  two 
hundred  yards,  horizontally  distant,  was  the  twin  jaw  of  the  chasm,  like  a 
black-burnt  wall ;  yet  the  torrent  that  roared  and  foamed  between  them  was 
full  six  hundred  feet  below  my  position  !  I  could  have  flung  the  stump  of  a 
cigar  upon  the  water  ;  in  fact  an  object  dropping  vertically  from  where  I  sate, 
for  it  was  a  projecting  point,  must  have  fallen  plumb  into  the  stream ! 

It  was  not  unlike  the  caHon,  where  we  had  tossed  over  the  dogs ;  but  it 
was  higher,  and  altogether  more  dreadful  and  horrible. 

As  I  looked  down,  several  small  birds,  whose  species  I  did  not  stay  to 
distinguish,  were  screaming  below,  and  an  eagle  on  his  broad  bold  wing  camo 
soaring  over  the  abyss,  and  flapped  up  to  my  very  face. 

"  Well,  Captain,"  broke  in  the  sharp  voice  of  Jarauta,  "  what  do  you  think 
of  it ;  a  nice  soft  floor  to  dance  upon,  isn't  it  ?    Isn't  it,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

"  All  ready  there  ?  Stop  !  some  music ;  we  must  have  music ;  how  can  fer 
fiance  without  music  "i    Ilola !  Sancho,  where's  your  bugle  7" 

"  Here,  Captain  P' 

"  Strike  up  then  ;  play  Yankee  Doodle.  Ila  !  ha  !  ha  !  Yankee  Doodle, 
do  you  hear  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain,"  answered  the  man  ;  and  the  next  moment  the  wall-known 
strains  of  the  Amirican  national  air  sounded  upon  my  ear,  producing  a 
strange,  sad  feeling  1  ^hall  never  forget. 

"Now,  Lopez,"  cri(.  I  the  Padre.  I  was  expecting  to  be  swung  out,  when  I 
heard  him  again  shout,  "  stay  !"  at  the  same  time  stopping  the  music. 

"  By  heavens !  Lopez,  I  have  a  better  plan,"  he  cried ;  "  why  did  I  not 
think  of  it  before  ?  It's  nnt  too  late,  yet.  Ila !  ha !  ha  !  Carramho  !  Thej 
shall  dance  upon  their  he:;  Is !     That's  better,  isn't  it,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

A  cheer  from  the  Jarochos  announced  their  approval  of  this  change  in  tlu 
ceremony. 

The  Padre  made  a  sign  to  Lopez,  who  approached  him,  appearing  to  receive 
some  directions. 

I  did  not  at  first  comprehend  the  novelty  that  was  about  to  be  introduced. 
1  was  not  long  in  ignorance.  One  of  the  Jarochos,  seizing  me  by  the  collar, 
dragged  me  back  from  the  ledge,  and  transferred  the  noose  from  my  neck  to 


THK    RIF>.K    RANGERS.  24:1 

my  ankles.     Horror  heaped  upon  horror !    I  was  to  be  hung  h^ad  down 
wards,  and  thus  left  to  die  by  inches  ! 

"  That  will  be  much  prettier,  wont  it,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

"  The  gentleman  will  hare  time  to  make  himself  ready  for  Heaven  before  he 
dies  ;  wont  he,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

"  Take  out  the  gag !  let  him  have  his  tongue  free ;  ho'li  need  that  to  pray 
with ;  won't  he  Lopez  ?" 

'•  Yes,  Captain." 

One  of  the  Jarochos  jerked  the  bayonet  roughly  from  my  mouth,  almost 
dislocating  my  jaw.  The  power  of  speech  was  gone.  I  could  not,  if  I  had 
wished  it,  have  uttered  an  intelligible  word. 

"  Give  him  his  hands,  too  j  he'll  need  them  to  keep  off  the  Zopilotes ;' 
won't  he,  Lopez  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain." 

The  thong  that  bound  my  wrists  was  cut,  leaving  my  hands  free.  I  was  oi 
my  back,  my  feet  towards  the  precipice.  A  little  to  my  right  stood  Lopea 
holding  the  rope  that  was  about  to  launch  me  into  eternity.  • 

"  Now  the  music — take  the  music  for  your  cue,  Lopez  ;  then  jerk  him  up  T 
cried  the  sharp  /oico  of  the  fiend. 

I  shut  my  eyes — waiting  for  the  pull.  It  was  but  a  moment,  but  it  seemei 
a  hfetime.  There  wa3  a  dead  silence — a  stillness  like  that  which  precedes  the 
bursting  of  a  rock,  or  the  firing  of  a  jubilee-gun.  Then  I  heard  the  first  note 
of  the  bugle,  and  along  with  it  a  crack — the  crack  of  a  rifle !  A  man  staggered 
over  me,  besprinkhng  my  face  with  blood ;  and.  falling  forwards,  disap 
peared  ! 

Then  came  the  pluck  upon  my  ankles,  and  I  was  jerked,  head  downwards. 
into  the  empty  air.  I  felt  my  feet  touching  the  branches  above  ;  and,  throw 
ing  up  my  arms,  I  grasped  one,  and  swung  my  body  upwards.  After  two  or 
three  efforts,  I  lay  along  the  main  trunk,  which  I  embraced  with  the  hug  of 
despair.  I  lookctl  downward.  A  man  was  hanging  below — far  below — at 
the  end  of  the  lariat !  It  was  Lopez.  I  knew  his  scarlet  manga  at  a  glance. 
He  was  hanging  by  the  thigh  in  a  snarl  of  the  rope. 

His  hat  had  fallen  off.  I  could  see  the  red  blood  running  over  his  face,  and 
dripping  from  his  long  snaky  locks.  He  hung  head  down.  I  could  see  that 
he  was  dead ! 

*  The  Viliick  vulture  of  Mew'x 


248  THK    KIFI.K    UANCKRS, 

The  hard  thong  was  cutting  my  ankles,  and,  oh,  Heaven  !  under  our  un-.w* 
weight,  the  roots  were  cracking ! 

Appalling  thought !  "  tlie  tree  will  give  way .'" 

I  held  fast  with  one  arm.  I  drew  forth  my  knife — fortunately  I  still  had 
one — with  the  other.  I  opened  the  blade  with  my  teeth ;  and,  stretching 
backward  and  downward,  I  drew  it  across  the  thong.  It  parted  with  a 
«  snig,"  and  the  red  object  left  me  like  a  flash  of  light.  There  was  a  plunge 
upon  the  black  water  below — a  plunge  and  a  few  white  bubbles,  but  the  body 
of  the  Jarocho,  with  its  scarlet  trappings,  never  came  up  after  that  plunge. 


CHAPTER    LIII. 

A    VERY    SHORT   TRIAL. 

During  all  this  time,  shots  were  ringing  over  me.  I  could  hear  the  shouts 
and  cheering  of  men,  the  trampling  of  heavy  hoofs  and  the  clashing  of  sabres. 
I  knew  that  some  strange  deliverance  had  reached  us.  I  knew  that  a  skirmish 
was  going  on  above  me ;  but  I  could  see  nothing,  I  was  below  the  level  of 
the  cliff. 

I  lay  in  a  terrible  suspense — listening.  I  dared  not  change  my  posture.  I 
dared  not  move.  The  weight  of  the  Jarocho's  body  had  hitherto  held  my 
f«et  securely  in  the  notch ;  but  that  was  gone  ;  and  my  ankles  were  still  tied. 
A  movement,  and  my  legs  might  fall  off  the  limb  ;  and  drag  me  downward. 
r  was  faint  too,  from  the  protracted  struggle  for  life  and  death-,  and  I  hugged 
the  tree,  and  held  on  like  a  wounded  squirrel.* 

The  shots  seemed  less  frequent ;  the  shouts  appeared  to  recede  from  the 
cliffs.  Then  I  heard  a  cheer,  an  anglo-Saxon  cheer,  an  American  che«r — and 
the  next  moment,  a  well-known  voice  rang  in  my  ears. 

"  By  the  livin  catamount !  he's  yeer  yit,  whooray,  whoop  !  Nivcr  say  die  ! 
Hole  on,  Cap'n,  teeth  an  toe-nail !  yeer,  boys !  clutch  on  a  whecn  o  yer ' 
quick,  hook  my  claws,  Nat !  now — pull — all  thegether !   Hooray !" 

I  felt  a  strong  hand  grasping  the  collar  of  my  coat,  and  I  was  raised  from 
my  perch,  and  landed  upon  the  top  of  the  cliff. 

I  looked  around  upon  my  deliverers.  Lincoln  was  dancing  like  a  lunatic, 
uttering  his„mld  half-Indian  yells.  A  dozen  men,  in  the  dark-green  uniform 
of  the  ''  mounted  rifles,"  stood  looking  on,  and  laughing  at  this  grotesque 

»  These  little  ahimals,  when  wounded,  will  often  hang  suspended  upon  a  branch  tiC 
U£e  is  extinct. 


250  THE    RTFLK    RANGERS. 

exhibition.  Ciose  by,  another  party  were  guarding  some  prisoners ;  while  a 
hundred  others  were  seen,  in  scattered  groups,  along  the  ridge,  returning  from 
the  pursuit  of  the  Jarochos  whom  they  had  completely  routed. 

I  recognised  Twing,  and  Hennessy,  and  Hillis,  and  several  other  oflBcers 
whom  I  had  met  before.  We  were  soon  en  rapport,  and  I  could  not  have 
received  a  greater  variety  of  congratulations,  had  it  been  the  hour  after  my 
weddmg. 

Little  Jack  was  the  guide  of  the  rescue. 

After  a  moment  spent  in  explanation  with  the  Major,  I  turned  to  look  for 
Lincoln.  He  was  standing  close  by,  holding  in  his  hands  a  piece  of  a  lariat, 
which  he  appeared  to  examine  with  a  strange  and  puzzled  expression.  He 
had  recovered  from  his  burst  of  wild  joy,  and  was  "  himself  again." 

"  What's  the  matter,  Bob  ?"  I  inquired,  noticing  his  bewildered  look. 

"  Why,  Cap'n  I'm  a  sorter  bamfoozled  yeer.  I  kin  understan  well  enufi 
how  the  feller  jirked  yer  inter  the  tree,  afore  he  lot  go.  But  how  did  this 
yeer  whang  kum  cut  1  an  whar's  the  other  eend  ? 

I  saw  that  he  held  in  his  hand,  the  noose  of  the  lariat,  which  he  had  taken 
from  my  own  ankles  ;  and  I  explained  the  mj'stery  of  how  it  had  "  kum  cut." 
This  seemed  to  raise  me  still  higher  in  the  hunter's  esteem.  Turning  to  one 
of  me  rmemen,  an  old  hunter  like  himself,  he  whispered — I  overheard  him: 

"  I'll  tell  yer  what  it  is,  Nat ;  he  kin  whip  his  weight  in  wild  cats  or  grizzly 
bars  any  day  in  the  year — he  kin,  or  my  name  ain't  Bob  Linkin." 

Saying  this  he  stepped  forward  on  the  cliff  and  looked  over ;  and  then  he 
examined  the  tree,  and  then  the  piece  of  lariat,  and  then  the  tree  again,  and 
then  he  commenced  dropping  pebbles  down,  as  if  he  was  determined  to  mea- 
sure every  object,  and  fix  it  in  his  memory  with  a  proper  distinctness  ! 

Twing  and  the  others  had  now  dismounted.  As  I  turned  towards  them, 
Clayley  was  taking  a  pull  at  the  Major's  pewter — and  a  good  long  pull  too. 
I  followed  the  Lioutenant's  example,  and  felt  the  better  for  it. 

"  But  how  did  you  find  us,  Major  ?" 

"  This  little  soldier,"  said  he,  pointing  to  Jack,  "  brought  us  to  the  ranche 
where  you  were  taken.  Fiom  there  we  easily  tracked  you  to  a  large  haci- 
enda." 

"  Ha  !  you  routed  the  guerilla,  then  ?" 

"  Routed  the  guerilla  !    We  saw  no  guerilla." 

"  What !  at  the  hacienda  V 

"  Peons  and  women ;  nothing  moiT.  Yes,  there  was  loo — what  am  I 
thinking  about?     There  was  a  party  there  that  routed  us;   Thornlcy  and 


TFH-:    K'lT-I.K    RANGERS.  251 

Ilillis,  here,  have  both  been  wounded,  and  are  not  likely  to  recover — poor 
fellows !" 

I  looked  towards  these  gentlemen  fcr  an  explanation.  They  were  botb 
lAUghing,  and  I  looked  in  vain. 

"  Henneb'sy,  too,"  cried  he  Major,  "  has  got  a  stab  under  the  ribs.' 

"  Oh.  by  my  sowl,  have  I,  and  no  mistake !"  cried  the  latter. 

"  Come,  Major,  an  explanation,  if  you  please." 

I  was  in  no  humor  to  enjoy  this  joke.  I  half  divined  the  cause  of  their 
mirth,  and  it  produced  in  me  an  unaccountable  feeling  of  annoyance,  not  to 
say  pain. 

"  Be  my  faith,  then.  Captain  !"  said  Hennessy,  speaking  for  the  Major,  "  if 
ye  must  know  all  about  it,  I'll  tell  ye  myself.  We  overhauled  a  pair  of  the 
most  elegant  crayteurs  you  ever  clapp'd  eyes  upon ;  and  rich — rich  as  Cray 
sus — wasn't  they,  boys  ?" 

"  Oh !  plenty  of  tin,"  remarked  Hillis. 

"  But,  Captain,"  continued  Ilennessy,  "  how  they  took  on  to  your  tiger.  I 
thought  they  would  have  eaten  the  little  chap,  body,  bones,  and  all." 

I  was  chafing  with  impatience  to  know  more ;  but  I  saw  that  nothing 
worth  knowing  could  be  had  in  that  quarter.  I  determined,  therefore,  to 
conceal  my  anxiety,  and  find  an  early  opportunity  to  talk  to  Jack ;  so  T 
shunned  the  subject. 

"But  beyond  the  hacienda?"  I  inquired. 

"  "We  trailed  you  down  stream  to  the  caflon,  where  we  found  blood  upon 
the  rocks.  Here  we  were  at  fault,  when  a  handsome,  delicate-looking  lad 
came  up,  and  carried  us  to  the  crossing  above,  where  he  gave  us  the  slip.  "We 
struck  the  hoofs  once  more,  and  followed  them  to  a  small  prairie  on  the  edg< 
of  the  woods,  where  the  ground  was  strangely  broken  and  trampled.  Here 
they  had  turned  back,  and  we  lost  all  trace." 

"  But  how  then  did  you  come  here  ?" 

"  By  accident  altogether.  "We  were  striking  to  the  nearest  point  on  the 
National  Road,  when  that  tall  sergeant  of  yours  dropped  down  upon  us  ou< 
of  the  branches  of  a  tree." 

"  "Whom  did  you  see.  Jack  7'^  I  whispered  to  the  boy,  having  drawn  him 
aside. 

"  I  saw  them  all,  Captain." 

"Well?" 

"  They  asked  me  where  you  were  j  and  when  I  told  them — "' 


252  THE   KIFLE   KANGEE8. 

"  Well— well  ?" 

"  They  appeared  to  wonder — " 

"  Well  ?» 

"  And  the  young  ladies — " 

"  And  the  young  ladies  ?" 

"  They  ran  round,  and  cried,  and — " 

Jack  was  the  dove  that  brought  the  olive  branch. 

"  Did  they  say  where  they  were  going  ?"  I  inquired,  after  one  of  thoao 
sweet  waking  dreams. 

"  Yes,  Captain,  they  are  going  up  the  country  to  live." 

**  Where?    Where  1" 

"  I  could  not  recollect  the  name ;  it  was  so  strange." 

"Jalapa?    Orizava?    Cordova?    Puebla?    Mexico?" 

"  I  think  it  was  one  of  them,  but  I  cannot  tell  which.  [  have  forgotten 
it,  Captain." 

"  Captain  Ilaller  !"  called  the  voice  of  the  Major,  "  here  a  moment,  if  you 
please ;  these  are  some  of  the  men  who  were  gomg  to  hang  you,  are  they 
not?" 

Twing  pointed  to  five  of  the  Jarochos,  who  had  been  captured  in  the 
skirmish. 

"  Yes,"  replied  I,  "  I  think  so,  yet  I  could  not  swear  to  their  identity." 

"  By  the  Crass,  Major,  I  can  sware  to  ivery  mother's  son  av  thim  ;  there 
isnt  a  schoundrel  among  thim,  but  has  given  me  rayzon  to  remimbir  him,  av 
a  harty  kick  in  the  ribs  might  be  called  a  rayzon.  0— h  !  ye  ugly  spalpeens, 
kick  me  now,  will  yez ;  will  yez  jist  be  plazed  to  trid  upon  the  tail  av  my 
jacket  ?" 

"  Stand  out  here,  my  man,"  said  the  Major. 

Chane  stepped  forward,  and  swore  away  the  lives  of  the  five  Jarochos  in 
less  than  as  many  minutes. 

"  Enough,"  said  the  Major,  after  the  Irishman  had  given  his  testimony. 
"  Lieutenant  Claiborne,"  continued  he,  addressing  an  officer,  the  youngest  in 
rank,  "  what  sentence  ?" 

"  Hang  1"  replied  the  latter  in  a  solemn  voice. 

"  Lieutenant  Hills  ?" 

"  Hang  !"  was  the  reply. 

"  Lieutenant  Clayley  ?" 

"  Hang !"  said  Clayley,  in  a  quick  and  emphatic  tone. 

"  Captain  Hennessy  ?" 


THE    RIFLE   EANGEES.  253 

"  Ilang  them  !"  answered  the  Irishman. 

"  Captain  Ilaller?" 

"  Have  you  determined,  Major  Twing —  1" 

I  asked  intending,  if  possible,  to  mitigate  this  terrible  sentence. 

"  We  have  no  time.  Captain  Haller,"  replied  my  superior,  interrupting  me, 
'  nor  opportunity  to  carry  prisoners.  Our  army  has  reached  Plan  del  Rio. 
and  is  preparing  to  attack  the  pass.  An  hour  lost,  and  we  may  be  too  late 
for  the  battle.    Tou  know  the  result  of  that  as  well  as  I." 

I  knew  Twing's  determined  character  too  well  to  offer  further  opposition ; 
and  the  Jarochos  were  condemned  to  be  hung. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Major's  report  of  the  affair,  will  show  how 
the  sentence  was  carried  out : — 

"  We  killed  five  of  them,  and  captured  as  many  more,  but  the  loader  escaped. 
The  prisoners  were  tried,  and  sentenced  to  be  hung.  They  had  a  gallowi 
already  rigged  for  Captain  Haller  and  his  companions ;  and.  for  want  of  « 
better,  we  hanged  them  upon  thai " 


CHAPTER    LIV. 
A  bird's  eye  view  of  a  battle. 

It  was  still  only  an  hour  by  sun  as  we  rode  off  from  the  "  Eagle's  Cave.'* 
At  some  distance,  I  turned  in  my  saddle,  and  looked  back.  It  was  a  singular 
sight  those  five  hanging  corpses,  and  one  not  easily  forgotten.  What  an 
appalling  picture  it  must  have  been  to  their  own  comrades  who,  doubtless, 
watched  the  spectacle  from  some  distant  elevation  ! 

Motionless  they  hung  in  all  the  picturesque  drapery  of  their  strange  attire 
— draggling — dead.  The  pines  bent  slightly  over,  the  osprey  screamed  as  he 
swept  past,  and  high  in  the  blue  air  a  thousand  bald  vultures  wheeled  and 
circled,  descending  at  every  curve. 

Before  we  had  ridden  out  of  sight,  the  Eagle's  cliff  was  black  with  zopilotes, 
hundreds  clustering  upon  the  pines,  and  whetting  their  foetid  beaks  over  their 
prey,  still  warm.  I  could  not  help  being  struck  with  this  strange  transporta- 
tion of  victims ! 

We  forded  the  stream  below,  and  travelled  for  some  hours  in  a  westerly 
course,  over  a  half  naked  ridge.  At  mid-day  we  reached  an  arroyo — a  clear 
cool  stream — that  gurgled  along  under  a  thick  grove  of  the  palina  redomUu 
Here  we  "  nooned,"  stretching  our  bodies  along  the  green  sward. 

At  sun-down  we  rode  into  the  pueblita*  of  Jacomulco,  where  we  had 
dclermincd  to  pass  the  night.     Twing  levied  on  the  alcalde^  for  forage  for 

*  Ilamlot. 

+  In  ovory  village  there  is  in  uloaldo,  ivhc^o  duties  are  somewhat  similar  to  those  ol 
juttico  of  the  peace 


THK    KIFLI':    RANGKRS.  255 

"  man  and  beast."  The  horses  were  pic'ieted  in  the  plaza,  while  the  meu 
bivouacked  by  their  fires — strong  mour^ced  pickets  having  been  thrown  out  on 
the  roads,  or  tracks,  that  led  to  the  village. 

By  day-break  we  were  a^;iiu  in  our  saddles,  and,  riding  across  another 
ridge,  we  struck  the  Plan  river,  five  miles  above  the  bridge,  and  commenced 
riding  down  the  stream.  We  were  still  far  from  the  water,  that  roared  and 
"  soughed"  in  the  bottom  of  a  barranca^  hundreds  of  feet  below  our  path. 

On  crossing  an  eminence,  a  sight  suddenly  burst  upon  us,  that  caused  us  to 
leap  in  our  saddles.  Directly  before  us,  and  not  a  mile  distant,  rose  a  high 
round  hill,  like  a  semi-globe ;  and,  from  a  small  tower  upon  its  top,  waved 
the  standard  of  Mexico  ! 

Long  lines  of  uniformed  men  girdled  the  tower,  formed  in  rank.  Horsemen 
ni  bright  dresses  gallopped  up  and  down  the  hill.  We  could  see  the  glitter  of 
brazen  helmets,  and  the  glancing  of  a  thousand  bayonets.  The  burnished 
howitzer  flashed  in  the  sunbeams,  and  we  could  discern  the  cannoniers  stand- 
mg  by  their  posts.  Bugles  were  braying,  and  drums  rolling.  So  near  were 
they,  that  we  could  distinguish  the  music.  They  were  sounding  the  "  as- 
sembly !" 

"Halt !  great  Heaven  i"  cried  Twing,  jerking  his  horse  upon  his  haunches, 
"  we  are  riding  into  the  enemy's  camp !  Guide  !"  he  added,  turning  fiercely 
to  Raoul.  and  half-drawing  his  sword,  "  what's  this  ?" 

*•  The  hill,  Major,"  replied  the  soldier,  coolly,  "  is  '  El  Telegrafo.'  It  is  the 
Mexican  head- quarters,  I  take  it.' 

"  And.  Sir,  what  mean  you  ?     It  is  not  a  mile  distant !" 

"  It  is  ten  miles.  Major," 

«  Ten !     Why,  Sir,  I  can  trace  the  eagle  upon  that  flag — it  is  not  one 

mile,  by  Heaven !" 

"  By  the  eye,  true ;  but  by  the  road.  Major,  it  is  what  I  have  said— ten 
miles.  We  have  passed  the  crossing  of  the  barranca  some  time  ago  ;  there  is 
no  other  before  we  reach  El  Plan." 

It  was  true.  Although  within  range  of  the  enemy's  lightest  metal,  we 
were  ten  miles  off! 

A  vast  chasm  yawned  between  us  and  them.  The  next  moment  we  were 
upon  its  brink,  and,  wheeling  sharply  to  the  right,  we  trotted  on  as  fast  as 
the  rocky  road  would  allow  us. 

"  Oh,  Heavens  !  Haller,  we  shall  be  too  late.  Gallop  !"  shouted  Twing,  as 
we  pressed  our  horses  side  by  side.  The  troop,  at  the  word,  sprang  into  a 
gallop.     El  Plan,  the  bridge,  the  hamlet,  the  American  camp,  with  its  thou- 


25G  THE    KIFLK    UANGKRB. 

sand  white  pyramids,  all  burst  upon  us  like  a  flash — below — fax  below — lying 
like  a  map.     We  are  still  opposite  El  Telegrafo ! 

'  By  Heavens  !"  cried  Twing,  "  the  camp  is  empty  !" 

A  few  figures  only  were  visible,  straggling  among  the  tents  ;  the  teamster 
the  camp-guard,  the  invalid  soldier ! 

"  Look— look !» 

I  followed  the  direction  indicated.  Against  the  long  ridge,  that  rose  ovei 
the  camp,  a  dark  blue  line  could  be  traced.  A  line  of  uniformed  men,  glisten- 
ing as  they  moved,  with  the  sparkle  of  ten  thousand  bayonets.  It  wound 
along  the  hill,  like  a  bristling  snake ;  and,  heading  towards  El  Telegrafo,  dis- 
appeared for  a  moment  behind  the  ridge. 

A  gun  from  the  globe-shaped  hill — and  then  another  !  another !  another ! 
a  roll  of  musketry  !  drums — bugles — shouts — cheering : 

"  The  battle's  begun  !» 

"  We  are  too  late !» 

We  were  still  eight  miles  from  the  scene  of  action.  We  checked  up,  and  sat 
chafing  in  our  saddles.  And  now  the  roll  of  musketry  was  incessant ;  and 
we  could  hear  the  crack-crack  of  the  American  rifles.  And  bombs  hurtled, 
and  rockets  hissed  through  the  air. 

The  round  hill  was  shrouded  in  a  cloud  of  sulphur ;  and  through  the  smoke 
we  could  see  small  parties  creeping  up,  from  rock  to  rock,  from  bush  to  bush, 
firing  as  they  went.  We  coyld  see  some  tumbling  back  under  the  leaden  hail, 
that  was  poured  upon  them  from  above.  And  then  a  strong  band  debouched 
from  the  woods  below,  and  strained  upward,  daring  all  danger.  Up,  up !  and 
bayonets  were  crossed,  and  sabres  glistened,  and  grew  red ;  and  wild  cries 
filled  the  air.  And  then  came  a  cheer,  long,  loud  and  exulting,  and  under  the 
thinning  smoke,  thousands  were  seen  rushing  down  the  steep,  and  flinging 
themselves  into  the  woods  ! 

We  knew  not  as  yet  which  party  it  was  that  were  thus  flying.  Wo  looked 
at  the  tower  in  breathless  suspense.  The  cloud  was  around  its  base,  where 
musketry  was  still  rolling,  sending  its  deadly  missiles  after  the  fugitives 
^>elow. 

The  flag — it  was  gone  ! 

"  Look,  look  !"  cried  a  voice  ;  "  the  star-spangled  banner .'" 

It  was  slowly  unfolding  itself  over  the  blue  smoke,  and  we  could  easily  dis- 
tinguish the  fitripas,  and  the  dark  square  in  the  corner ;  and  as  if  with  ono 
voice,  our  troops  broke  into  a  wild  hurrah  ! 

In  less  time  than  you  have  taken  in  reading  this  account  of  it,  the  battle  of 
Ccrro  Gordo  was  lost  and  wotf. 


CHAPTER    LV. 

AN    ODD    WAV    OF   ESCAPING   FROM    A    BATTLE    FIELD. 

We  sate  on  our  horses  facing  the  globe-shaped  summit  of  El  Tolegrafo,  and 
watching  our  flag  as  it  swung  out  from  the  tower. 

"  Look  yonder !  what  is  that  ?"  cried  an  oflBcer,  pointing  across  the  bar- 
ranca. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  in  the  direction  indicated.  A  white  line  was 
slowly  moving  down  the  face  of  the  opposite  cliff. 

"  Rein  back,  men  !  rein  back  !"  shouted  Twing,  as  his  eye  rested  upon  tho 
strange  object.     "  Throw  yourselves  under  cover  of  the  hill !" 

In  a  minute  our  whole  party — dragoons,  officers  and  all — had  gallopped  our 
horses  into  the  bed  of  a  dry  arroyo,  where  we  were  completely  screened  from 
observation.  Three  or  four  of  us  dismounting,  along  with  Twing,  crept 
cautiously  forward  to  the  position  we  had  just  left  ;  and  raising  our  heads 
over  the  bunch-grass,  looked  across  the  chasm.  "We  were  close  to  its  edge, 
and  the  opposite  "  cheek,"  a  huge  wall  of  traprock,  rose  about  a  mile  horizon- 
tally distant,  at  least  a  thousand  feet  from  the  river  bottom.  Its  face  was 
almost  vertical,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  stairs  or  platforms  in  the  basaltic 
strata,  and  from  these  hung  out  stunted  palms,  cedars,  and  dark  shapeless 
masses  of  cacti  and  agave. 

Down  this  front  the  living  line  was  still  moving — slowly,  zigzag — along 
narrow  ledges,  and  over  jutting  points,  as  though  some  white  liquid,  or  a  train 
of  gigantic  insects  was  crawling  down  the  precipice.  The  occasional  flash  of 
a  bright  object  would  have  told  us,  had  we  not  guessed  the  nature  of  this 
strange  phenomenon  already.  They  were  armed  men— Mexicans— escaping 
from  the  field  of  battle  ;  and  in  a  wood  upon  the  escarpment  of  the  cliff,  we 
could  perceive  several  thousands  of  their  comrades  huddled  up,  and  waiting  for 
sin  opportunity  to  descend.     They  were  evidently  concealed,  and  out  of  aU 


258  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

danger  from  their  pursuers  on  the  other  side — indeed  the  main  body  of  tne 
American  army  had  already  passed  their  position  and  were  moving  along  the 
Jalapa  road,  following  up  the  clouds  of  dust  that  hung  upon  the  retreating 
squadrons  of  Santa  Anna. 

We  lay  for  some  time  observing  the  motions  of  these  cunning  fugitives,  as 
they  streamed  downward.  The  head  of  their  line  had  nearly  reached  the 
timbered  bottom,  through  whose  green  fringes  the  stream  swept  onward 
curving  from  cliff  to  cliff. 

Impatient  looks  were  cast  towards  the  Major,  whose  cold  grey  eye  showed 
no  signs  of  action. 

"  Well,  Major — what's  to  be  done  ?"  asked  one. 

"  Nothing,"  was  the  impressive  reply. 

"  Nothing !"  echoed  every  one. 

"  Why,  what  could  we  do  ?" 

"  Take  them  prisoners — every  one  of  them." 

"  Whom  prisoners  ?" 

"  These  Mexicans — these  before  us." 

"  Ha !  before  you  they  are — a  long  way,  too.  Bah  !  they  are  ten  miles  off; 
and,  even  if  we  could  ride  straight  down  the  bluff  with  winged  horses,  what 
could  our  hundred  men  do  in  that  jungle  below  I  Look  yonder  ;  there  are  a 
thousand  of  them  crawling  over  the  rocks !" 

"  And  what  signify  numbers  ?"  asked  I,  now  speaking  for  the  first  time. 
"  They  are  already  defeated  and  flying — half  of  them,  I'll  wager,  without 
irms.  Come,  Major,  let  us  go  !  We  can  capture  the  whole  party  without 
firing  a  shot." 

"  But,  my  dear  Captain,  we  cannot  reach  them  where  they  are." 

"It  is  not  necessary.     If  we  ride  up  the  cliffs,  they  will  come  to  us." 

'•  How  ?" 

"  You  see  this  dark  line.  It  is  not  three  miles  distant.  You  know  that 
timber  like  that  does  not  grow  on  the  naked  face  of  a  cliff.  It  is  a  gorge,  and 
I'll  warrant  a  water-course,  too.     They  will  pass  through  it." 

"  Beautiful !  We  could  meet  them  as  they  came  up  it,"  cried  several  at 
once. 

"  No,  lads,  no !  You  are  aU  wrong.  They  will  keep  the  bottom, — the 
heavy  timber,  I  warrant  you.  It's  no  use  losing  time.  "We  must  round  to 
the  road,  and  forward.  Who  knows  that  we  ma}'-  not  find  work  enough  yet  ? 
Come !" 


THK    KIKLK    RANGERS.  259 

So  saymg,  our  commanding  oiBcer  rose  np,  and.  walking  back  to  the  arroyo, 
leaped  into  his  saddle.  Of  course  we  followed  his  example,  but  with  no  very 
amiable  feelings.  I,  for  one,  felt  satisfied  that  we  might  have  made  a  dashing 
thing  of  it,  and  entered  the  camp  with  flying  colors.  I  felt— and  so  did  my 
friend  Clayley— like  a  school-boy  who  bad  come  too  late  for  his  lesson,  and 
would  gladl}^  have  been  the  bearer  of  a  present  to  his  master ;  moreover  we 
had  learned  from  our  comrades,  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  commander- 
in-chief  to  capture  as  many  of  the  enemy  as  possible  on  this  occasion.  This 
determination  arose  frona  the  fact — well  authenticated— that  hundreds  who 
had  marched  out  of  Vera  Cruz  on  parole,  had  gone  direct  to  Cerro  Gordo, 
with  the  intention  of  fighting  us  again,  and  no  doubt  some  of  these  honorable 
soldiers  were  among  the  gentry  now  clambering  down  the  barranca. 

With  these  feelings,  Clayley  and  I  were  anxious  to  do  something  that  might 
cover  our  late  folly,  and  win  our  way  back  to  favor  at  head-quarters. 

"  Let  me  take  fifty  of  your  men  and  try  this.  You  know,  Major  Twing,  I 
have  a  score  to  rub  out." 

"I  cannot,  Captain, — I  cannot.     We  must  on.     Forward!" 

And  the  next  moment  we  wei'e  moving  at  a  trot  in  the  direction  of  El  Plan. 

For  the  first  time  I  felt  angry  at  Twing ;  and,  drawing  my  bridle  tighter,  ! 
fell  back  to  the  rear.  What  would  I  not  have  given  for  the  "  Rifle  Rangers" 
at  that  moment  ? 

I  was  startled  from  a  very  sullen  reverie,  by  a  shot,  the  whistling  of  a  rifle 
bullet,  and  the  loud  ''  Halt !"  of  the  Major  in  front.  Raising  myself  on  the 
instant,  I  could  see  a  greenish-looking  object  just  disappearing  over  the  spur 
of  a  ridge.     It  was  a  vidette  who  had  fired,  and  ran  in. 

''  Do  you  think  they  are  any  of  our  people  ?" 

"That  ar's  one  of  our  kumpny,  Cap'n.  I  seed  the  green  on  his  cap,"  said 
Lincoln.  • 

I  gallopped  to  the  front.  Twing  was  just  detaching  a  small  party  to  recon- 
noitre. I  fell  in  along  with  this,  and  after  riding  a  hundred  yards,  we  look-ed 
over  the  ridge,  and  saw — not  four  hundred  yards  distant — a  ten-inch  howitzer, 
that  had  just  been  wheeled  round,  and  now  stood  gaping  at  us !  In  rear  of 
the  gun  stood  a  body  of  artillerists,  and  on  theu-  flanks  a  larger  body  of  what 
appeared  to  be  light  infantry  or  rifles.  It  would  have  been  anything  but  a 
pleasing  sight,  but  that  a  small  flag  with  red  and  white  stripes  was  playing 
over  the  gun  ;  and  our  party,  heedless  of  their  orders,  leaped  their  horses  on 
the  ridge,  and  pulling  oS"  their  caps,  saluted  it  with  a  cheer  ! 

The  soldiers,  by  the  battery,  still  stood  undecided — not  knownig  what  to 


260  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

make  of  our  conduct,  (as  they  were  the  advanced  outpost  in  this  quarter  J 
Irhen  a  mounted  rifleman  gallopped  up,  and  displayed  the  flag  of  his  regiment. 

A  wild  cheer  echoed  back  from  the  battery,  and  the  next  moment  both 
parties  had  met,  and  were  shaking  each  other's  hands  with  the  hearty  greet- 
ings of  long-parted  friends. 

Not  the  least  interesting  to  me  was  the  fact,  that  my  own  corps,  under  the 
command  of  its  lieutenant,  formed  the  principal  guard  of  the  gun ;  and  the 
welcome  of  our  old  comrades  was  such  as  we  should  have  received  had  we 
come  back  from  the  grave.  They  had  long  since  made  up  their  minds  that 
they  had  seen  the  last  of  us ;  and  it  was  quite  amusing  to  witness  these  brave 
tirailleurs,  as  they  gathered  around  Lincoln  and  his  comrades,  to  hear  th« 
Btory  of  our  adventvuras. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

A   WHOLESALE   CAPTURE. 

In  a  few  minutes  our  greetings  were  over.  Twing  moyed  on,  taking  witlj 
him  his  squadron  of  mounted  men.  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  the  opposite 
road.  I  was  now  in  command  of  a  force — my  own — and  I  felt  keennly  the 
necessity  of  doing  something  to  redeem  my  late  folly.  Clayley  was  as  anxious 
as  myself. 

"  You  do  not  need  them  any  longer  V  said  I  to  Ripley,  a  gallant  young 
fellow,  who  commanded  the  howitzer. 

"  No,  Captain  ;  I  have  thirty  artillerists  here.  It  is  strange  if  we  can't 
.teep  the  piece,  and  manage  it  against  ten  times  that  number  of  such  heroes  as 
we  have  seen  over  yonder." 

"  What  say  you  to  going  with  us  ?" 

"  I  should  like  it  devillish  well — but  duty,  my  dear  H — ,  duty.  T  imist 
stay  by  the  gun." 

"  Good  bye,  then,  comrade  !     We  have  no  time  to  lose — fare  well !" 

"Good  bye;  and  if  you're  whipped,  fall  back  on  me.  I'll  keep  the  piec« 
here  till  you  return,  and  there'll  be  a  good  load  of  grape  ready  for  anybody 
that  comes  after  you." 

The  company  had  by  this  time  formed  on  the  flank  of  the  howitzer,  and  ;iC 
the  words  "  forward — quick  time,"  started  briskly  across  the  hills. 

In  a  few  minutes,  we  had  reached  the  point  where  the  road  trended  lor 
stome  distance,  along  the  brow  of  the  precipice.    Here  we  halted  a  moment ; 


263  THE    RIFLK    RANGERS. 

and  taking  Lincoln  and  Raoul,  I  crawled  forward  to  our  former  point  of 
observation. 

Our  time  spent  at  the  battery  had  been  so  short,  that,  with  the  difficulty 
which  the  enemy  experienced  in  descending  the  cliff,  the  head  of  their  line  had 
only  now  reached  the  bottom  of  the  barranca.  They  were  running  in  twos 
and  threes  toward  the  stream,  that,  near  this  point,  impinged  upon  the  roof  of 
the  precipice.  "With  a  small  glass,  which  I  had  obtained  from  Ripley.  I  could 
see  their  every  movement.  Some  of  them  were  without  arms — they  had 
doubtless  thrown  them  away — while  others  still  carried  their  muskets,  and 
not  a  few  were  laden  with  knapsacks,  and  heavy  burdens  too — the  household 
gods— perhaps  stolen  ones — of  their  own  camp.  As  they  reached  the  green 
sward,  dropping  down  in  a  constant  stream,  they  rushed  forward  to  the 
water,  scrambling  into  it  in  thirsty  crowds,  and  falling  upon  their  knees  to 
drink.     Some  of  them  filled  their  canteens. 

"  They  intend  to  take  the  hills,"  thought  I.  I  knew  there  was  no  water  for 
miles  in  that  direction. 

As  I  swept  the  glass  around  the  bottom  of  the  cliff,  I  was  struck  with  an 
object  that  stood  in  a  clump  of  palm-trees.  It  was  a  mule  sa^'^ied,  and 
guarded  by  several  soldiers,  more  richly  uniformed  than  the  masses  who  were 
straggling  past  them. 

••  They  arc  waiting  for  some  officer  of  rank,"  thonght  I.  I  moved  the  glass 
slowly  along  the  line  of  descending  bodies,  and  upward  against  the  rocks.  On 
a  small  platform,  neai'ly  half-way  up  the  cliff,  several  bright  uniforms  flashed 
Uf)on  the  lens.  The  platform  was  shaded  with  palms  ;  and  I  could  sec  that 
this  party  had  halted  a  moment  for  the  purpose  (as  I  then  conjectured)  of 
allowing  the  foremost  fugitives  to  pioneer  the  wooded  bottom.  I  was  right. 
As  soon  as  these  had  crossed  the  stream,  and  made  some  way  in  the  jungle 
along  its  banks,  the  former  continued  their  descent ;  and  now  I  saw  what 
caused  ni}'  pulse  to  beat  feverishly — that  one  of  these  carried  a  dark  object  on 
his  back !  An  object  ? — a  man — and  that  man  could  be  no  other  than  th« 
lame  tyrant  of  Mexico  ! 
I  I  can  scarcely  describe  ray  feelings  at  this  moment.  The  young  hunter 
\  who  sees  noble  game — a  bear — a  panther — a  bulTalo — within  reach  of  his  rifle 
1  for  the  first  time,  might  feel  as  I  did.  T  hated  this  man,  as  all  honest  men 
I  must  and  should  hate  a  cowardly  despot.  During  our  short  campaign,  I  had 
hoai-d  many  a  well-authenticated  slor}'  of  hi.s  base  villany  ;  and  I  believe  at 
that  moment  I  would  have  willingly  parted  with  my  hand  to  have  brought 
him  as  near  as  he  appeared  under  the  field  of  the  telescope.     I  thought  I 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS.  iioij 

could  even  distinguish  the  lines — deep  furrowed  by  guilt — on  his  dark,  malice- 
marked  ftice ;  and  as  I  became  sure  of  the  identity,  I  drew  back  my  head, 
cautioning  my  companions  to  do  the  same ! 

Now  was  the  time  for  action,  and  putting  up  the  glass,  we  crawled  back  to 
our  comrades.  1  had  learned  iVom  Raoul,  that  the  dark  line  which  I  had 
noticed  before,  was  as  I  had  conjectured,  the  cafion  of  a  small  stream  heavily 
timbered,  and  forming  a  gap  or  pass  that  led  to  the  Plan  river.  It  was  five 
miles  distant,  instead  of  three.  So  much  the  better ;  and  with  a  quick, 
crouching  gait,  we  were  once  more  upon  our  way.  I  had  told  my  comrades 
enough  to  make  some  of  them  as  eager  as  I.  Many  of  them  would  have 
given  half  a  life  for  a  shot  at  game  like  that.  Not  a  few  of  them  remembered 
they  had  lost  a  brother — on  the  plains  of  Goliad,  or  the  fortress  of  the 
Alamo ! 

The  Rangers,  moreover,  had^been  chafing  "  all  day  for  a  fight,"  and  now  aa 
unexpectedly  led  at  something  like  it,  they  were  just  in  the  humor.  They 
moved  as  one  man ;  and  the  five  miles  that  lay  between  us  and  the  gorge, 
were  soon  passed  to  the  rear.  We  reached  it,  I  think,  in  about  half-an-hour. 
Considering  the  steep  pass  through  which  the  enemy  must  come,  we  knew 
there  was  a  breathing  time,  though  not  long,  for  us;  and  during  this,  I 
matured  my  pians,  part  of  which  I  had  arranged  upon  the  route. 

A  short  survey  of  the  ground  convinced  us  that  it  could  not  have  been  bet- 
ter fitted  for  an  ambuscade  had  we  chosen  it  at  our  leisure.  The  gorge,  or 
BaRon,  did  not  run  directly  up  the  cliff,  but  in  a  zigzag  line,  so  that  a  man  at 
the  top  could  only  alarm  another  coming  up  after  him,  by  shouting  or  firing 
his  piece.  This  was  exactly  what  we  wanted,  as  although  we  might  capture 
%  few  of  the  foremost,  those  in  the  rear  being  alarmed,  could  easily  take  to  the 
rirer  bottoir  and  make  their  escape  through  the  thiokets.  It  was  our  design 
to  make  our  prisoners  without  firing  a  single  shot,  and  this,  under  .he  circtmi 
stances,  we  did  not  deem  an  impossible  matter. 

The  pass  was  a  dry  arroyo ;  its  banks  fringed  with  large  pines  and  cotton- 
woods  matted  together  by  lianas  and  vines  of  almost  every  description. 
Where  the  gorge  debouched  into  the  uplands,  its  banks  were  high  and  naked— 
with  here  and  there  a  few  scattered  palms  that  grew  up  from  huge  hassocks 
of  bunch  grass. 

Behind  each  of  these  bundles  a  rifleman  was  stationed,  forming  a  deployed 
line,  with  its  concave  arc  facing  the  embouchure  of  the  gorge,  and  gradually 
slosing  in,  so  that  it  ended  in  a  clump  of  thick  chapparal  upon  the  very  vergo 


264  THE    KIFLE    KANGERS. 

of  the  precipice.  At  this  point,  on  each  side  of  the  path,  were  stationed  half- 
a-dozen  men,  in  such  a  position  as  to  be  hidden  from  any  party  passing 
apward,  until  it  had  cleared  the  cafion,  and  its  retreat  was  secured  against 
At  the  opposite  end  of  the  ellipse  a  stronger  party  was  stationed  with  Clayley 
'.n  command,  and  Raoul  to  act  as  interpreter.  Oakes  and  I  took  our  station, 
commanding  the  separate  detachments  on  the  brow. 

Our  arrangements  occupied  us  only  a  few  minutes.  I  had  to  deal  with 
men — many  of  whom  had  "  surrounded "  buffaloes  in  a  somewhat  similar 
manner ;  and  it  did  not  require  much  tact  to  teach  them  a  few  modifications 
in  the  sport.  In  five  minutes  we  were  in  our  places  waiting  anxiously,  and  in 
perfect  silence. 

As  yet  not  a  murmur  had  reached  us  from  below,  except  the  sighing  of  the 
wind  through  the  tall  trees,  and  the  sough  of  the  river  as  it  tumbled  away 
over  its  pebbly  bed.  Now  and  then  we  heard  a  stray  shot,  or  the  quick 
sharp  notes  of  a  cavalry  bugle ;  but  these  were  far  off,  and  only  told  of  the 
wild  work  that  was  still  going  on  away  along  the  road  towards  Encerro  and 
Jalapa. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  by  us  to  each  other.  The  men  who  were  deployed 
along  the  hill  lay  hidden  behind  the  hassocks  of  the  palms ;  and,  from  our 
position,  not  one  of  them  was  to  be  seen.  I  mnst  confess  it  was  one  of  the 
most  anxious  moments  of  my  life  ;  and,  although  I  felt  no  hate  towards  the 
enemy — no  desire  to  injure  one  of  them,  excepting  him  of  whom  I  have  spoken, 
there  was  something  so  wild,  so  thrilling  in  the  excitement  of  thus  entrapping 
man — the  highest  of  all  animals — that  I  could  not  have  foregone  the  inhuman 
sport,  I  had  no  intention  that  it  should  be  inhuman.  I  well  knew  what 
would  be  their  treatment  as  prisoners  of  war ;  and  I  had  given  orders  that 
not  a  shot  should  be  fired  nor  a  blow  struck,  in  case  they  threw  down  their 
arms  and  yielded  without  resistance.  But  for  him — humanity  had  many  a 
score  to  settle  with  him ;  and  I  must  confess  that,  at  the  time,  I  did  not  feel 
a  very  strong  inclination  to  resist,  what  would  have  been  the  Ranger's  desire 
on  that  question. 

"Is  not  all  our  fine  ambuscade  for  nothing?" 

I  had  begun  to  fancy  as  much,  and  to  suspect  that  our  enemy  h.id  kopi 
along  the  river,  when  a  humming  sound,  like  that  of  bees,  fame  creeping!;  up 
the  pstfs.  Presently  it  grew  louder,  until  I  could  distinguish  the  voicc.«  o/ 
«ien.  Our  hearts  as  yet  beat  louder  than  their  voices.  Now  the  stonea 
rattled  as  loosened  from  their  sloping  beds  they  rolled  back  and  down 
wards  I 

Gh^rdaos,  hombre  /"    (Look  out,  man),  shouted  one. 


TUK    KIKI.K    KAXGEK8.  26o 

"  Carajo  /"  cried  another,  "  take  care  what  you're  about.  I  haven't 
.'lio  Yankee  bullets  to  have  my  skull  cloven  in  that^fasbion.  Arriba,  escaped 
■iiriba  /" 

"  I  sa/,  Antonio,  you're  sure  this  leads  oat  above  ?" 

■'  Quite  sure,  camarado." 

"  And  then  on  to  Orizava  ?" 

'•  On  to  Orizava — derecko,  derecho?^ 

"  But  how  far,  hombre  ?" 

"  Oh  !  there  are  halting  places — pueblitas." 

"  Vaya  !  I  don't  care  how  soon  we  reach  them.  I'm  as  hungry  as  a  fa^^ 
ished  coy*te." 

"  Carrai !  the  co3^otes  of  these  parts  won't  be  hungry  for  some  time. 
Vaya !" 

"  Who  k^tOws  whether  they've  killed  '  El  Cojo  V  " 

"  '  Catch  »  fox,  kill  a  fox.'  No.  He's  found  some  hole  to  creep  through,  I 
erairant  hini." 

"El  que  mata  un  ladron 
Tione  cien  aiios  de  perdon." 

The  meanrng  of  which  is,  "  he  who  kills  a  robber  will  receive  a  hundred 
fears  of  pardoa  for  the  offence  ;"  in  other  words,  he  will  not  be  punished  at 
All.     A  favorite  saying  among  the  Spaniards  and  Spanish- Americans. 

This  was  hailed  with  a  sally  by  the  very  men  who,  only  one  hour  ago,  were 
shouting  themselvecj  hoarse  with  the  cries  of  "  Viva  el  General !  Viva  Santa 
Anna !"  And  on  tfiey  scrambled,  talking  as  before,  one  of  them  informinp' 
bis  comrades  with  a  laugh,  tliat  if  "  los  Tejanos "  could  lay  their  hands 
on  "  El  Cojo,"  they  tLe  Mexicans,  would  have  to  look  out  for  a  new  Presi- 
dent. 

They  had  now  pasGtJ  us.  "We  wero  looking  at  their  backs !  The  first 
party  contained  a  string  of  fifteen  or  twenty,  mostly  soldiers  of  the  "  raw  bat- 
talions." conscripts  who  wore  the  white  linen  jackets  and  wide  sailor-looking 
p»italoons  of  the  volunteer.  Raw  as  these  fellows  were,  either  from  their 
position  in  the  battle,  or.  more  likely,  from  a  better  knowledge  of  the  country, 
they  had  been  able  thus  tar  to  make  their  escape,  when  thousands  of  theii 
veteran  companions  had  bewi  captured.  But  few  of  them  were  armed.  They 
had  thrown  their  guns  awdy  in  the  hurry  of  flight.  At  this  moment,  wt 
could  distinguish  the  voice  of  Ra»ul — 

"  Alio  !  ahajo  las  anna-'i ;"    (Halt !  ground  arms  !) 


•2QQ  'line    KIILK    liANGKUH. 

At  this  challenge  we  could  sec.  for  tiscy  wore  still  m  si<;lit,  that  some  oi 
them  leaped  clear  up  from  the  ground.  One  or  two  looked  up  as  if  with  tho 
tntention  of  re-entering  the  gorge,  but  a  dozen  muzzles  met  their  gaze. 

"Adelimte—adelcmtel—auinos  amigos  P^  (Forward!  we  are  friends), 
cTied  i  in  a  half  whisper,  fearing  to  alarm  their  comrades  in  the  rear — at  the 
same  time  waving  them  onward. 

As  on  one  side,  Clayley  presented  a  white  flag,  while,  on  the  other,  thcra 
was  to  be  seen  a  bunch  of  dark  yawning  tubes,  the  Mexicans  were  not  long  ia 
making  their  choice ;  in  a  minute  they  had  disappeared  from  our  sight,  priv 
ferring  the  companionship  of  Clayley  and  Raoul,  who  would  know  how  to 
dispose  of  them  in  a  proper  manner. 

He  had  scarcely  got  rid  of  these,  when  another  string  debouched  up  the 
glen,  unsuspicious  as  were  their  comrades  of  the  fate  that  awaited  them, 

These  were  managed  in  a  similar  manner ;  and  another,  and  another  party, 
all  of  whom  were  obliged  to  give  up  their  arms,  and  lling  themselves  to  the 
earth,  as  soon  as  they  had  reached  the  open  ground  above. 

This  continued  until  I  began  to  grow  fearful  that  we  were  making  more 
prisoners  than  we  could  safely  hold  ;  and,  on  the  knowledge  of  this  fact,  they 
might  try  to  overpower  us.  The  tempting  prize  had  not  yet  appeared.  He 
could  not  be  far  distant  ,  and,  allured  by  this  prospect,  I  determined  to  hold 
out  a  while  longer.  But  an  end  was  now  put  lo  our  captures  by  an  unex- 
pected event.  A  party,  consisting  of  some  ten  o-  rifleen  men— many  of  thena 
officers — suddenly  appeared,  and  marched  boldly  out  of  the  gorge. 

As  these  struck  the  level  ground  we  could  b'-ftt  the  •'  Alto !"  of  Raoul ; 
but.  in.s;tcad  of  halting,  as  their  companions  had  ^«ie,  several  of  them  drew 
th«ir  swords  and  pistols,  and  rushed  down  the  pasa 

A  volley  from  both  sides  stopped  the  retreat  of  sor  f ;  others  escaped  along 
the  sides  of  the  cliff,  and  a  few — not  over  half-a-dozetr— .succeeded  in  entering 
the  gorge.  It  was,  of  course,  beyond  our  power  A^  follow  them ;  and  1 
ordered  the  deployed  line  to  close  in  around  the  pri.soi -. '-.t  .ih-tady  taken,  ]■  • 
they  should  attempt  to  imitate  their  braver  comrades. 

We  had  no  fear  of  being  assailed  from  the  ravine.  Thore  who  had  gon 
down  carried  a  panic  along  with  them  that  would  secure  us  f.*om  that  dangtr 
at  the  same  tmic  we  knew  that  the  tyrant  M-ould  now  be  alarmed  am 
escape. 

Several  of  the  Rangers— souvenirs  of  Santa  Fe  and  San  Jacinto— rcque-stw 
my  permission  to  go  upon  his  "  trail,"  and  pick  him  oil". 

This  request,  under  the  circuuistauccs,  I  could  not  grant,  and  we  set  aboui 


THE    RIFI.;':    Kt\Nr;KRS.  267 

securing  our  prisoners.  Gun  slings  and  waist  bolts  were  soon  split  int* 
thongs,  and  with  these  our  captives  were  tied— two  and  two,  forming  in  all  » 
battalion  of  a  hundred  and  fifteen  files— two  hundred  and  thirty  men  ! 

With  these,  arranged  in  such  a  manner  as  we  could  most  convenkjoUj 
guard  them,  wo  marched  i  ato  the  camp  at  Plan  del  Rio. 


CHAPTER    LVII. 

A    DUEL,    WITH    AN    ODD    ENDING. 

Ihat  night  we  slept  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  next  day  were  ordered 
e>  to  Jalapa,  where  the  army  halted  to  bring  up  its  wounded,  and  prepare 
for  an  advance  upon  the  capital  of  Mexico. 

The  Jalapenos  did  not  receive  us  inhospitably  ;  nor  the  Jalapeflas  neither. 
They  expected,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that  we  would  sack  their  beautiful  city. 
This  we  did  not  do  ;  and  their  gratitude  enabled  our  officers  to  pass  their  time 
somewhat  agreeably.  The  gay  rormd,  that  always  succeeds  a  battle — for 
dead  comrades  are  soon  forgotten,  amidst  congratulations  and  new  titles — had 
no  fascination  for  me. 

The  bails — the  tertulias — the  dias  de  campo*  were  alike  insipid  and  tire- 
some. She  was  not  there,  and  where  ?  I  knew  not.  I  might  never  see  her 
again.  All  I  knew  was,  that  they  had  gone  up  the  country — perhaps  to 
Cordova,  or  Orizava  ? 

I  took  occasion  to  make  enquiry  from  a  Jalapeflo.  He  knew  tlie  family 
well — one  of  the  highest  in  jMexico — the  Dofia  Joaquina,  a  relation  of  the 
celebrated  hero  Guadalupe  Victoria.  Don  Cosme  had  an  estate  near  Jalapa, 
where  he  spent  his  summers.  lie  was  not  there  ;  and  it  was  now  summer. 
"  He  had  gone  to  some  distant  point,  to  be  out  of  the  desolating  track  of  war." 

Clayley  shared  ray  feelings.     The  bright  eyes  in  the  balconies — the  sweetie 
voices  in  the  orange-shaded  patios  of  Jalapa — had   neither  briglitness,  jioi 
nmsic  for  us.     We  were  both  thoroughly  miserable. 

To  add  to  this  unhappy  state  of  things,  a  bad  feeling  had  sprang  up  among 


THE    RIFLE    KANGERS.  269 

the  ofiBcers  of  our  army — a  jealousy  between  the  old  and  the  new.  Those  of 
the  old  standing  army,  holding  themselves  as  a  species  f^jmlitary  aristocracy, 
looked  upon  their  brethren  of  the  new  regiments  as  interlopers ;  and  this 
feeling  pervaded  all  ranks,  from  the  commander-in-chief  down  to  the  lowest 
subaltern. 

It  did  not  interest  all  individuals.  There  were  many  honorable  men  on 
both  sides  who  took  no  part  in  a  question  so  ridiculons,  but  on  the  contrary, 
endeavored  to  frown  it  down.  It  was  the  child  of  idleness,  and  a  long  spell 
of  garrison  duty.  On  the  eve  of  a  battle  it  always  disappeared.  I  have 
adverted  to  this,  not  that  it  might  interest  the  reader,  but  as  explaining  a 
result  connected  with  ourselves. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  actors  in  this  quarrel,  on  the  side  of  the  "  old 
regulars,"  was  a  young  oflBcer  named  Ransom — a  captain  in  an  infjintry 
regiment.  He  was  a  good  fellow  in  other  respects,  and  a  brave  soldier,  I 
believe;  but  his  chief  weakness  lay  in  a  claim  to  be  identified  with  the 
aristocracy. 

It  is  strange  that  this  miserable  ambition  is  always  strongest,  \  here  it 
should  exist  with  the  least  propriety.  I  have  observed,  .n  travelling  through 
life,  and  so  has  the  reader,  no  doubt,  that  parvenus  ara  the  greatest  sticklers 
for  arktocratic  privilege  ;  and  Captain  Ransom  was  no  exception  to  this  rule. 
In  tumbling  over  some  old  family  papers,  I  had  found  a  receipt  from  the 
gallant  Captain's  grandfather  to  my  own  progenitor,  acknowledging  the  pay- 
ment of  a  bill  for  leather  breeches  ! 

It  so  happened  that  this  very  receipt  was  in  my  portmanteau  at  the  time 
and  nettled  at  the  "  carryings  on"  of  the  tailor's  grandson,  I  drew  it  forth, 
and  spread  it  out  upon  the    mesa  table.     My  bretheren  of  the  mess  were 
highly  tickled  at  the  document ;  several  of  them  copying  it  off  for  future  use ! 

It  soon  reached  Ransom,  who,  in  his  hour  of  indignation,  made  use  of  certain 
expressions,  that,  in  their  turn,  soon  reached  me.  The  result  was  a  challenge, 
borne  by  my  friend  Clayley  ;  and  the  affair  was  arranged  for  the  followmg 
morning. 

The  spot  chosen  for  our  morning's  diversion  was  a  sequestered  one.  upon 
the  banks  of  the  river  Zedena,  and  along  the  solitary  road  that  leads  out 
towards  the  Cofre  di  Perote. 

At  sunrise  we  rode  out  in  two  carriages,  six  of  us,  including  our  seconds 
and  surgeons.  About  a  mile  from  town  we  halted  ;  and  leaving  the  carriages 
upon  the  road,  crossed  over  into  a  small  glade,  in  the  midst  of  the  chapparal. 

It  was  as  pretty  a  spot,  for  our  purpose  as  the  heart  could  wish  for  ;  -.nd 


270  THE    lUf^LE    RANGKKS. 

had  often,  we  were  informed,  been  used  for  similar  morning  exercises — that 
was,  before  chivalry  had  died  out  among  the  descendants  of  Cortez. 

The  ground  was  soon  lined  off — ten  paces — and  we  took  our  stands,  back 
to  back.  We  were  to  wheel  at  the  word  "  Ready !"  and  fire  at  "  One,  two, 
three !» 

We  were  waiting  for  the  word,  with  that  death-like  silence  which  always 
precedes  a  similar  signal,  when  Little  Jack,  who  had  been  left  with  the  car- 
riages, rushed  into  the  glade,  calling  with  all  his  might : 

"  Captain  !  Captain  ! 

Every  face  was  turned  upon  him  with  scowling  inquiry,  when  the  boy, 
gasping  for  breath,  shouted  out : 

"  The  Mexicans — are — on  the  road  !" 

The  word  had  scarcely  passed  his  lips,  when  the  trampling  of  hoofs  sounded 
npon  our  cars,  and  the  next  moment,  a  band  of  horsemen  came  driving  pell- 
mell  into  the  opening.     At  a  single  glance  we  recognised  the  guerilla  ! 

Ransom,  who  was  nearest,  blazed  away  at  the  foremost  of  the  band,  missing 
his  aim.  With  a  spring  the  guerillero  was  over  him,  his  sabre  raised  for  the 
blow.     I  fired,  and  the  Mexican  leaped  from  his  saddle  with  a  groan. 

"  Thank  j^ou,  Haller,"  cried  my  antagonist,  as  we  rushed  side  bj''  sido 
towards  the  pistols.  There  were  four  pairs  in  all,  and  the  surgeons  and 
seconds  had  already  armed  themselves,  and  were  pointing  their  weapons  at 
the  enemy.     We  seized  the  remaining  two,  cocking  them  as  we  turned. 

At  thi'  moment  my  eye  fell  upon  a  black  horse  ;  and  looking,  I  recognised 
the  rid  r.  lie  saw  a  ad  recognised  me  at  the  same  moment,  and  driving  the 
tpurs  into  his  horse's;  f'anks,  sprang  forward  with  a  yelL  With  one  bound 
he  was  over  me.  his  white  teeth  gleaming  like  a  tiger's.  His  sabre  flashed  in 
my  eyes — I  fired — a  h.  avy  body  dashed  against  me — I  was  struck  senseless 
to  the  earth  ! 

I  was  only  stunntd,  and  in  a  few  moments  I  came  to  my  senses.  Shots 
and  shouts  rang  around  me.  I  heard  the  trampling  of  hoofs,  and  the  groans 
of  wounded  men. 

I  looked  up.  Horsemen  in  dark  uniforms  were  gallopping  across  the  glade, 
and  into  the  woods  beyond.  I  recognised  the  yellow  facings  of  the  American 
dragoons. 

I  drew  my  hand  over  my  face ;  it  was  wet  with  blood  A  heavy  body  lay 
across  mine,  which  Little  Jack,  with  all  his  strength,  was  endeavoring  to  drag 
off.  I  crawled  from  under  it,  nnd  bending  over,  looked  at  his  features.  I 
knew  them  at  a  glance.     I  muttered  to  my  servant : 


THK    KIFLE    KANGKRS.  271 

.'  Dubrosc !  he  is  dead  !" 

His  body  lay  spread  out  in  its  picturesque  attire.  A  fair  form  it  was.  A 
bullet — my  ovnx — had  passed  through  his  heart,  killing  him  instantly.  I 
placed  my  hand  upon  his  forehead.  It  was  cold  already,  and  his  beautifu 
features  were  white  and  ashy.  His  eyes  glared  with  the  ghastly  expression 
of  death. 

"  Close  thcni,"  I  said  to  the  boy,  and  turned  away  from  the  spot. 

"Wounded  men  lay  around — dragoons  and  Mexicans — and  some  were 
dead, 

A  party  of  officers  was  returning  from  the  pursuit,  and  I  recognised  ray 
late  adversary,  with  our  seconds  and  surgeons.  One  of  the  latter  had  found 
use  for  his  skill,  as  I  observed  that  he  carried  his  arm  in  a  sling.  A  dragoon 
officer  gallopped  up. 

It  was  Colonel  Harding. 

"  These  fellows,  gentlemen,"  cried  he,  reining  up  his  horse,  "just  came  m 
time  to  relieve  me  from  a  disagreeable  duty.  I  have  orders  from  the  cora- 
mander-in-chief  to  arrest  Captains  Haller  and  Ransom. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  he  continued,  with  a  smile,  "  I  think  you  have  had 
fighting  enough  for  one  morning,  and  if  j'ou  will  promise  me  to  be  quiet 
young  men,  and  keep  the  peace,  I  will,  for  once  in  my  life,  take  the  liberty  of 
disobeying  a  general's  orders.     "What  say  you,  gentlemen  ?" 

It  needed  not  this  appeal.  There  had  been  no  serious  cause  of  quarrel 
between  my  adversary  and  myself,  and,  moved  by  a  similar  impulse,  we  botli 
stepped  forward,  and  grasped  one  another  by  the  hand. 

"  Forgive  me,  my  dear  Haller."  said  the  officer ;  "  I  retract  all.  I  assure 
you  my  remarks  were  only  made  upon  the  spur  of  the  moment,  when  I  was 
angry  about  those  cursed  leather  breeches." 

"  And  I  regret  to  have  given  you  cause,"  I  replied.  "  Come  with  me  to  mj 
quarters.  Let  us  have  a  glass  of  wine  together,  and  we  will  light  our  cigars 
with  the  villanous  document." 

A  burst  of  laughter  followed,  in  which  Ransom  good-naturedly  joined  ; 
and  we  were  soon  on  our  way  to  town,  seated  in  the  same  carriage,  and  the 
best  friends  in  creation. 

**»♦*♦♦♦• 

Some  of  the  soldiers  who  had  '  rifled "  the  body  of  Dubrosc,  found  . 
paper  upon  him,  which  proved  that  the  Frenchman  was  a  spy  in  the  servic* 
of  Santa  Anna.     He  had  thrown  himself  into  the  company  at  New  Orleans, 


272  TIIK    lilll.K    KA.NOKIW. 

with  the  intention  of  gaining  information,  and  then  deserting  on  liis  arriva* 
in  Mexico.  This  he  succeeded  in  doing  in  the  manner  detailed.  Had  he 
commanded  the  company,  he  would  doubtless  have  found  an  opportunity  to 
have  delivered  them  over  to  the  enemy,  at  I^a  Virgen,  or  elsewhere. 


CHAPTER   LYIIl. 


We  were  enjoying  ourselves  in  the  Fonda  de  Diligencias — the  principal 
hotel  of  Jalapa — when  Jack  touched  me  on  the  shoulder,  and  whispered  in 
my  ear : 

"  Captain,  there's  a  Mexican  wants  to  see  ye." 

"  Who  is  it  7"  I  demanded,  somewhat  annoyed  at  the  interruption. 

"  It's  the  brother,"  replied  Jack,  still  speaking  in  a  whisper. 

«  The  brother !    What  brother  ?" 

"  Of  the  young  ladies,  Captain." 

I  started  from  my  chair,  overturning  a  decanter  and  several  glasses. 

"  Hilloa  !  what's  the  matter?"  shouted  several  voices  in  a  breath. 

"  Gentlemen,  will  you  excuse  me  ?— one  moment  only — I — I— will — " 

^'  Certainly,  certainly  !"  cried  my  companions  all  at  once,  wondering  vra*,t 
xaa  the  matter. 

The  next  moment  I  was  in  the  antesala,  embracing  Narcisso. 

"  And  so  you  are  all  here  ;  when  did  you  arriye  ?" 

"  Yesterday,  Captain,    I  came  to  town  for  you,  but  could  not  find  you.' 

"  And  they  are  well  1  all  well  ?" 

"  Yes,  Captain.  Papa  expects  you  will  come  out  this  evening,  with  the 
ioutenant  and  the  other  officer." 

"  The  other  officer  !  who,  Narcisso  ?" 

•'  I  think  he  was  wich  you  on  your  first  visit  to  La  Virgsn— wn  senor 
gordo." 

"  Oh  !  the  Major !  Yes,  yes,  we  will  come  ,  but  where  have  you  been  since 
we  met  Narcissito?" 


274  THE   KIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  To  Orizava.  Papa  has  a  tobacco  farm  near  Orizava ;  he  always  goes  to  it 
when  he  comes  here.  But,  Captain,  we  were  so  astonished  to  hear  from  your 
people  that  you  had  been  a  prisoner,  and  travelling  along  with  us.  We  knew 
the  guerilleros  had  some  American  prisoners,  but  we  never  dreamt  of  its  being 
you.     Carrambo  /  if  I  had  known  that !" 

"  But  how  came  you,  Narcisso,  to  be  with  the  guerilla  ?" 

**  Oh  7  papa  had  many  things  to  carry  up  the  country ;  and  he,  with  sonu 
9tlier  families,  paid  Colonel  Cenobio  for  an  escort.  The  country  is  so  full  of 
robbers." 

"  Ah  !  sure.    Tell  me,  Narcisso,  how  came  I  by  this  ?" 

I  held  out  the  dagger. 

"  I  know  not,  Captain.  I  am  ashamed  to  tell  you  that  I  lost  it  the  day 
after  you  gave  it  me." 

"  Oh !  never  mind.  Take  it  again,  and  say  to  your  papa  I  will  come,  and 
bring  '  El  sefior  gordo '  along  with  me." 

"  You  will  know  the  way,  Captain  ?  Yonder  is  our  house."  And  the  lad 
pointed  to  the  white  turrets  of  an  aristocratic-looking  mansion  that  appeared 
over  the  tree-tops  about  a  mile  distant. 

"  I  shall  easily  find  it." 

"  Adieu,  then,  Captain  ;  we  shall  be  impatient  until  you  arrive.  Hasta  la 
larrfe .'" 

So  saying,  the  youth  departed. 

I  communicated  to  Clayley  the  cause  of  my  temporary  withdrawal ;  and 
seiz.ing  the  earliest  opportunity,  we  left  our  companions  over  their  cups. 

It  was  now  near  sundown,  and  we  were  about  to  jump  into  our  saddles, 
when  I  recollected  my  promise  to  bring  the  Mnjor.  Clayley  proposed 
leaving  him  behind,  and  planning  an  apology;  but  a  hint  from  me  that  ho- 
might  be  useful  in  "keeping  oil'"  Don  Cosme  and  the  Sefiora  caused  the 
Lieutenant  suddenly  to  change  his  tactics,  and  we  set  out  for  Blossom's 
quarters. 

We  had  no  difficulty  in  persuading  "  El  sefior  gordo"  to  accompany  us,  as 
soon  as  he  ascertained  where  we  were  going.  lie  had  never  ceased  to  re- 
member that  dinner.  Hercules  was  brought  out,  and  saddled  in  a  jilfey ;  and 
we  all  three  gallopped  ofl'  for  the  mansion  of  our  friends. 

After  passing  under  the  shadows  of  green  trees,  and  through  copses  filled 
with  flowers  and  bright  singing-birds,  we  arrived  at  the  house,  one  of  the  fair- 
est mansions  it  had  ever  been  our  fortune  to  enter.     We  were  just  in  time  to 


Till::    IMFl.K    ilANtJF.ItS.  "  275 

enjoy  the  soft  twilight  of  an  eternal  spring— of  a  landscape  nempre  verd« ; 
and,  what  was  more  to  the  Major's  mind,  in  time  for  a  supper  that  rivalled 
the  well-remembered  dinner. 

As  I  had  anticipated,  the  Major  proved  exceedingly  useful  during  the  visit. 
[n  his  capacity  of  quarter-master,  he  had  already  picked  up  a  little  Spanish — 
enough  to  hold  Don  Cosme  in  check  over  the  wine ;  while  Clayley  and  my- 
self, with  "  Lupe"  and  "  Luz,"  walked  out  into  the  veranda  to  take  a  peep 
at  the  moon.  Iler  light  was  alluring,  and  we  could  not  resist  the  temptation 
of  a  stroll  through  the  gardens.  It  was  a  celestial  night ;  and  we  dallied 
along,  rfosy  do9,  under  the  pictured  shadows  of  the  orange-trees,  and  sat  upon 
suriously-formed  benches,  and  gazed  upon  the  moon,  and  listened  to  the  soft 
notes  of  the  tropic  night-birds. 

The  perils  of  the  past  were  all  forgotten,  and  the  perils  of  the  future — we 
thought  not  of  them. 

It  was  late  when  we  said  "  buenas  noclies^'  to  our  friends,  and  we  parted 
with  a  mutual  "  hasta  la  mananaJ*  It  is  needless  to  say,  that  we  kept  our 
promises  in  the  morning,  and  made  another  for  the  following  morning,  and 
kept  that  too ;  and  so  on,  till  the  awful  bugle  summoned  us  once  more  to  the 
•*  Route." 

The  detail  of  our  actions  during  these  days  would  have  no  interest  few  the 
reader,  though  to  us  the  most  interesting  of  our  lives.  There  was  a  sameness 
— a  monotony — it  is  true ;  but  a  monotony  that  both  my  friend  and  mysell 
could  have  endured  for  ever. 

I  do  not  even  remember  the  details.  All  I  can  remember  is  that,  on  the 
eve  of  our  march,  I  found  myself  "cornering"  Don  Cosme,  and  telling  him 
plainly  to  his  teeth,  that  I  meant  to  marry  one  of  his  daughters ;  and  that  my 
friend,  (who  had  not  yet  learnt  the  "  lingo,"  and  had  duly  commissioned  me 
as  his  "  go-between,")  would  be  most  happy  to  take  the  other  off  his  hands  1 

I  remember  very  well,  too,  Don  Cosme's  reply ;  which  was  given  with  a 
half  smile,  half  grin,  semewhat  cold,  though  not  disagreeable  in  its  expression. 
It  was  thus: 

"  Captain wTien  the  war  is  over." 

Don  Cosme  had  no  intention  that  his  daughters  should  become  widows  be< 
fore  they  had  fairly  been  wives  ;  and  we  bade  adieu,  once  more,  to  the  light 
of  love,  and  walked  in  the  shadow  of  war ;  and  we  toiled  up  to  the  high  tables 
of  the  Andes,  and  crossed  the  burning  plains  of  Perote ;  and  we  forded  -the 
cold  streams  of  the  Rio  Frio,  and  climbed  the  snowy  spurs  of  Popocatepec ; 
and  after  many  a  toilsome  march,  our  bayonets  bristled  along  the  borders  of 


J',' (J  THE    KTFLE    RAISIGKRS. 

the  Lake  Tczcoco.  And  here  we  fought — a  death  struggle,  too — lor  we  knew 
there  was  no  retreat.  But  our  struggle  was  crowned  with  victory  ;  and  tho 
starry  flag  waved  over  the  ancient  city  of  the  Aztecs  ! 

Neither  my  friend  nor  myself  escaped  unhurt.  "We  were  shot  "'  all  over," 
jut  fortunately  no  bones  were  broken,  and  neither  of  ws  converted  into  a 
.■ripple. 

And  then  came  the  "  piping  times  of  peace  ;"  and  Clayley  and  I  spent  our 
days  in  riding  out  upon  the  Jalapa  Road,  watching  for  that  great  old  family 
carriage,  which,  it  had  been  promised,  should  come. 

And  it  came  rumbling  along  at  length,  drawn  by  twelve  mules,  and  depo- 
iited  its  precious  load  in  a  palace  in  the  Calle  Capuchinas. 

And  shortly  after,  two  officers  in  shining  uniforms  entered  the  portals  of 

.hat  same  palace,  and  sent  up  their  cards,  and  were  admitted  on  the  instant. 

Ah !  these  were  rare  times.     But  rarer  still — for  it  should  only  occiu-  once  in 

i  man's  lifetime — was  an  hour  spent  in  the  little  chapel  of  San  Barnardo — 

******* 

There  is  a  Convent — Santa  Catarina — the  richest  in  Mexico — the  richest, 

oerhaps,  in  the  world.     There  are  some  nuns  there — beautiful  creatures — who 

■lossess  property  (each  one  of  them  worth  a  million  of  dollars,)  and  yet  these 

hildren  of  heaven  never  look  upon  the  face  of  Hian  ! 

About  a  week  after  my  visit  to  San  Barnardo,  I  was  summoned  to  the  Con- 

cnt,  and  permitted — a  rare  privilege  for  one  of  my  sex — to  enter  its  sacred 

reciucte.     It  was  a  painful  scene.     Poor  ■ "  Mary  of  Mercy  !"     IIow  lovely 

she  looked  in  her  vestments  of  snow-white  lawn ! — lovelier  in  htr  sorrow  than 

f  had  ever  seen  her  before  !     May  God  pour  tho  balm  of  oblivion  into  the 

icart  of  this  erring  but  repentant  angel ! 

♦  *•*♦♦* 

I  returned  to  New  Orleans  in  the  latter  part  of  1848.  I  was  walking  one 
morning  along  the  Levee,  with  a  fair  companion  on  ray  arm,  whesn  a  woll- 
known  voice  struck  on  my  ear,  exclaiming — 

"  I'll  be  dog-goned,  Rowl,  if  it  aint  the  Cap'n !" 

I  turned,  and  beheld  Raoul  and  the  hunter.  They  had  doffed  the  regimen- 
tals, and  were  preparing  to  "  start"  on  a  trapping  expedition  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

I  need  not  describe  our  mutual  pleasure  at  meeting,  which  was  more  thaa 
shared  by  my  wife,  who  had  often  made  me  detail  to  her  the  exploits  of  my 
comrades.  I  inquired  for  Chane.  The  Irishman,  at  the  breaking  up  of  tho 
"  war  troops."  had  entered  one  of  the  old  regiments,  and  was  at  this  time,  as 


TIIK    KIFLK    KANGERS.  277 

Lincoln  expressed  it,  "  the  first  sargin  of  a  kumpny."  I  could  not  permit  my 
old  ranging  companions  to  depart  without  a  souvenir.  My  wife  drew  off  a 
pair  of  rings,  and  presented  one  to  each  upon  the  spot.  The  Frenchiaan,  with 
the  gallantry  of  a  Frenchman,  drew  his  upon  his  finger ;  but  Lincoln,  after 
trying  to  do  the  same,  declared,  with  a  comical  grin,  that  he  couldn't  "  git  the 
eend  of  hia  wipin-stick  inter  it."  lie  wrapped  it  up  carefully,  however,  and 
deposited  it  in  his  bullet-pouch. 

My  friends  accompanied  us  to  our  hotel,  where  I  found  them  more  appro- 
priate presents  than  the  rings.  To  Raoul  I  gave  my  revolving  pistols,  not 
expecting  to  have  any  farther  use  for  them  myself;  and  to  the  hunter,  that 
which  he  valued  more  than  any  other  earthly  object,  the  Major's  Dutch 
gim."  Doubtless,  ere  this,  the  Sjntz-nddcl  has  slain  many  a  "  grizzly  bar" 
among  the  wild  ravines  of  the  Wind-River  mountains. 

A  few  days  aRer,  I  had  a  visit  from  Major  Twing,  who,  with  llo!lis,  and 
others  of  my  old  comrades,  was  on  his  way  to  the  frontier  garrisons  of  Texas. 
From  him  I  learnt  that  Blossom,  on  account  of  his  gallant  behavior  in  tho 
affair  at  La  Virgen,  had  received  the  brevet  of  a  colonel,  and  was  now  employed 
in  the  department  at  Washington 

Courteous  reader,  I  was  about  to  write  the  word  "adieu,"  when  "  Littlo 
Jack"  handed  me  a  letter,  bearing  the  V  era  Cruz  postmark.  It  was  daSss? 
"  La  Virgen,  November  1, 1849.    It  concluded  as  foHows: — 

"  You  were  a  fool  for  leaving  Mexico,  and  you'll  never  be  half  ss  happj 
anywhere  else  as  I  am  here.  You  would  hardly  know  the  '  rancbe,*— I  mean 
the  fields.  I  have  cleared  off  the  weeds ;  and  expect  next  year  to  take  a 
couple  of  hundred  bales  off  the  ground.  I  believe  T  can  raise  as  good  cotton 
here  as  in  Lousiana  ;  besides,  I  have  a  little  corner  for  vanilla.  It  would  do 
your  heart  good  to  see  the  improvements,  and  little  "  Spousio,'  too,  takes  sucb 
an  interest  in  all  I  do.     Ualler,  I'm  the  happiest  man  in  creation. 

"  I  dined  yesterday  with  our  old  friend  Cenobio,  and  you  should  have  seen 
him,  when  I  told  him  the  man  he  l:,ad  in  his  compar.y.  I  thought  he  would 
hare  split  his  sides.  Ke'u  a  perfect  old  trmup,  this  Cenobio,  notwithstanding 
his  smuggling  propensities. 

"  By  the  way,  you  have  heard,  I  suppose,  that  our  "  other  old  friend,'  the 
Padre,  has  been  sliot.  lie  took  part  with  Paredes  against  tho  government. 
They  caught  him  at  Queretaro,  and  shot  him,  with  a  dozen  or  so  of  his  '  beau- 
ties, in  less  than  a  squirrel's  jump. 

"  A.nd  now,  my  dear  Ilaller,  a  last  word.    We  all  want  you  to  come  back^ 


278  'fllE    KIFLE    RANGERS. 

The  house  at  Jalapa  is  ready  for  you  ;  and  Dofia  Joaquiaa  says  it  ia  yours  j 
and  SHE  wants  you  to  come  back. 

"  Don  Cosme,  too — with  whom  it  appears  Lup6  was  the  fevorite — uc  wants 
you  to  come  back.  Old  Conobio,  who  is  still  puzzled  about  how  you  got  the 
knife  to  cut  through  the  adobes,  he  wants  you  come  back.  Loi  ia  fretting 
after  Lupfe,  and  she  wants  you  to  come  back.  And,  last  of  all,  I  want  yos 
to  come  back.    So  stand  not  on  the  order  of  yqur  coming,  but  come  at  ono« 

Yours,  for  ever, 

"Edward  Olatlw.** 

2Uad«r,  do  you  want  me  to  come  back  1 


S^^  Copioa  mailed  to  ansf  distance^  fret  of  pogtag-e^  on  receipt  of  prlew, 

SCENES   AND    ADTENTURES 

IN  THE  WEST  AND  SOUTHWEST. 


THE   RIFLE  RANGERS. 

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personally  passed   through;  and  running  through  the  whole  there   is   a  veiu  of  quiet 
humor,  which  relieves  the  more  fearful  parts  of  the  narrative. 

THE   SOALP  HUNTERS; 

OR,   ADVENTURES  AMONG   TUE   TRAPPERS. 

One  Volume,  V2mo.,  Eight  Beautiful  Jllu-strations,  cloth.    Price  $1  25. 

So  marked  was  the  success  of  the  "  Rille  Rangers,"  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe, 

that  the  author  was  induced  to  publish  at  an  early  day  the  above  named  book,  a  work  of 

more  thrilling  adventure,  bolder  incident,  and  glowing  description  than  had  ever  before 

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THE   HUNTERS'  FEAST; 

OR,  CONVERSATIONS  AROUND  THE  CAMP-FIRE. 

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Trapper's  life,  as  are  presented  in  this  evidently  truthful  narrative. 

THE   WHITE  CHIEF; 

A   LEGEND    OP   NORTH    MEXICO. 

One  Volume,  Vimo.,  Eight  Elegant  Illustrations,  cloth.    Price  $1  25. 

This  1.5  another  of  those  popular  works  of  adventure  which  have  taken  such  a  hold  of 

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yiirst  for  bold  deeds  which  seems  to  be  inherent  in  the  breasts  of  our  people. 

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Illustrated  with  Eight  Elegant  Engravings.    Price  $1  25. 
Another  spirited  and  brilliant  romance,  quite  equal  in  stirring  interest,  graphic  descrip- 
tions of  natural  scenery,  and  truthful,  vivid  portraitures  of  character,  to  anything  the 
Captain  has  yet  written,  and  little  more  need  be  said  in  its  favor. 

THE  WAR  TRAIL; 

OR,  THE  HUNT  OP  THE  WILD  HORSE. 

One  Volume,  \2mo..  Eight  Beautiful  IlluHrations,  cloth.  \ Price  $1  25. 

Capt.  Mayne  Reid  was  an  olHcer  in  our  army  during  the  late  war  with   Mexico,  and 

while  in  that  country  met  with  many  adventures,  which  form  the  groundwork  of  his  last 

«  ad  best  effort.    We  can  truthfully  say  it  is  the  most  interesting  book  of  the  day. 

OSCEOLA  THE   SEMINOLE; 

OR,   THE    RED    FAWN    OF    THE    FLOWER    LAND. 
Containing  nearly  500  pages,  handsomely  emhelUshed  roith  original  detignt, 

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tlve  which  is  equal  to  any  of  Mr.  Reid's  former  productions ;  and  while  the  reader'i 
patriotism  cannot  fail  to  be  gratified  at  the  result,  his  sympathy  is  awakened  for  th« 
manly  struggles  and  untimely  fate  of  the  gallant  spirit,  who  fought  so  Jobly  for  the 
freedom  of  his  red  brethren  and  the  preservation  of  their  cherished  hunting  gi-ounds. 

Address  all  Orders  to 

ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT,  Publisher, 

i6o  &  162  Nafsau  Street,  N.  Y. 

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THE   GREAT   BOOK  ON  TEXAS  BORDER  LIFE. 


THE    KANGERS    ANE> 

REGULATOKS  OE  THE  TAIAHA ; 

OR,  LIFE    AMONG   THE    LAWLESS. 

A  Tale  of  the  Republic  of  Texas. 
BY   CHAELES  SUMMERFIELD   (A.   W.  Arrington). 

Late  Judge  of  the  Bio  Grande  District,  AutTior  of  ''Sketches  of  the  Southwest." 

The  writer  of  this  book  was  Judge  of  the  Eio  Grande  District,  in  Texas,  for  many 
years,  and  lias  produced  a  worli  of  unaurpas.led  interest.  If  is  a  vivid  description  of 
Border  Life,  Lynch  Law,  Miglit  Malies  Right,  &o.,  which  characterized  the  early  settle- 
ment of  Texas,  when  each  man  suspected  his  neighbor,  and  slept  with  his  rifle  within 
reach,  and  one  eye  open,  as  it  were,  not  linowing  at  what  moment  to  expect  a  visit  from 
the  dreaded  "  Regulators,"  as  they  termed  themselves.  There  is  just  enough  of  civiliza- 
tion and  romance  in  the  work  to  soften  the  more  startling  revelation^  and  to  render  it, 
as  a  whole,  a  volume  of  high  merit,  and  to  the  "  Sons  of  Immortal  Genius,"  whose  poli- 
tical  wisdom  extended  the  luminous  area  of  freedom  by  the  successive  addition  of 
Florida's  ever  green  peninsula,  of  the  imperial  domain  and  priceless  delta  of  Louisiana, 
of  the  world-controlling  cotton  fields  of  Texas,  of  California's  golden  valleys,  and  the 
silver  mountains  of  New  Mexico,  and  to  all  those  who  inherit  the  same  passion  for  pio- 
neering progress,  and  equal  love  for  the  glory  of  their  native  land,  this  work  is  offered 
as  a  faithful  picture  of  wild  western  life. 

We  subjoin  a  brief  synopsis  of  the 

CONTENTS. 


The  Travellers  in  the  Storm. 

Colonel  Miles— The  Midnight  alarm. 

Maj.  Morrow  and  Sol  Tuttle— Capt.  Carlyle. 

The  Ball— The  Departure. 

Major  Morrow  and  Joanna. 

Captain  Carlyle  and  Lucy— The  Murder. 

Sol  Tultl'.- — The  Unexpected  Meeting. 

Uncle  Jack. 

The  Two  Duels. 

Revenge. 

Plots  and  Counterplots 

The  Negro  Meeting. 

The  Narr^>w  Escape 

«attU  »ilhc  BiocV-Pouse- Judge  Moore. 


Sol  Tuttle  and  Brother  Dave— The  Brothers 

Barton  and  the  Sisters  Ewing. 
Carlyle  and  Curran. 
Lucy. 

The  Trial  by  Torture. 
The  Trial— an  Execution.  ' 
The  Rangers. 
Mary  and  Lucy. 
Major  Morrow  and  Joanna. 
The  Defeat  of  the  Lynchers. 
The  Defeat  of  the  Robbers. 
JIaJor  Morrow  and  Dave  Tuttle. 
The  Jail. 
The  Last. 


i.-'Wress  all  OrJers  to 

ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT,  Publisher, 

1 60  &  162  Nafsau  Street,  N.  Y. 

W.  H   TiNSON,  PrinUr  and  Stercotyper,  Reiir  of  ii  &  46  Centre  St.,  N.  Y. 


i^  Capita  mailed  to  any  distance^  free  ofpo»tag-e,  on  receipt  of  price,       \\ 


MAYNE  KEID'S  ADVENTURES  IN  THE  MEXICAN  WAR. 


ROBERT   M.    DE   WITT 

WcVLti  respectfully  announce  to  the  public,  that  he  has,  at  considerable  expense,  purchased 
from  Captain  Mayne  lleid,  the  advance  sheets  of  the  best  book  he  has  ever  written.    It  ia 

JYOW  HEADY.   EJVTITLED 

THE   WAE   TRAIL; 

OR,  THE  HUNT  OF  THE  WILD  HOESS. 


A  ROMANCE  OP  THE  PRAIRIE. 
BY    CAPT.    MAYNE    REID,  ' 

AUTBOR  OF  "  THE  SCALP  HUNTERS,"  "  RIFLE   RANGERS,"  "  WHITE  OHI|(F,"  "  HUNTERs'  FKAST,' 
"QnAUROON,"   ETC.  / 


ibfUshed  -with  original  designs,  engraved  In 
PrUie  $1  25. 

•  >•  volume  of  these  half-wild,  half-civilized, 

■'  'I  ithor  relates  in  a  style  so  peculiarly 

:r,i;oLient  in  its  favor.     Matkb  Heid  is  so 

liis  ocota  possess  the  entree  into  every  circle 

the  hu/ifer's  cabin  and  the  lady's  boudoir — 

all  gra'tefuUy  extend  to  tlie  redoubtable  Captain  a  woWame,  as  warm  as  it  is  sincere.     We 

subjoi'i  a  brief  synopsis  of  tlie 

CONTE  NTS. 


Containing  nearly  500  pages,  handsomely 
the  highest  style  of  the  art,  by  N.  Orr,  Esq 

In  presenting  to  the  American  jhIm  ■  :i 
half-hunter,  half-military  advent  I.I     , 
his  own,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  i      i.- z 
well  known  and  so  generally  apprcci^iuil,  li 
-the  public  library,  the  bachelor'; 


Souvenirs— A  Mexican  Frontier  Village. 

The  Rangers  on  Picket. 

Maliing  a  Captive— My  Captive. 

Isoliua  de  Vargas— An  Order  to  Forage. 

Don  Ramon—"  Un  Papeloito. 

An  Old  Enmity— Raiael  Ijurra. 

The  Yellow  Domino- The  Blue  Domino. 

Love  Thoughts— An  Odd  Epistle. 

The  Manad<i— The  Uunt  of  the  Wild  Horse, 

The  Phantom  Horse— A  Prairie  Dream. 

Lost  upon  the  Prairie— A  Prairie  Repast, 

Cliased  by  a  "  Grizzly." 

The  Toughest  Struggle  of  my  Life. 

Old  Comrades— A  Queer  Conversation. 

Vows  of  Vengeance. 

A  "  Weed  "  Prairie  on  Fire. 

Riibe  Roasted  Alive— The  Mesa. 

Guerrilleros— The  Parley— A  Dead  Shot. 

A.  Running  Shot— Rube's  Charger. 

El  Zorro— A  plan  of  Escape. 

Elijah  Quackenboss— The  Trap  Empty, 

Scaling  the  Cliff— A  Reinforcement. 

The  Indian  Spy— The  Cabalada. 

A  Chapter  of  Explanations. 

Dutch  Lige  in  a  difficulty. 

A  Lover  on  the  Trail. 

A  Declaration  on  Horseback. 

Strayed  from  the  Track — An  Adios. 

Threats — Awkward  Odds. 

An  Official  Black  List— The  Route. 


Camp  (Jofs.'p — The  Ruined  Rancho. 

Cruel  Prescription — Bivouac  of  the  Guerrilla 

Taking  the  Vrail — The  Voyage  ur. 

Trailing  by  Torch  Light — The  Sombrero. 

The  Trail  Recovered — Wolves  on  the  Track. 

Across  the  Torrent — A  Lilliputian  Forest. 

Scattering  the  Wild  Stallions. 

Lost  in  a  Chap&r;-al— Encounter  with  JaVali. 

Tlie  Woods  on  Fi/e— Smoke  and  Thirst. 

A  Burnt  Prairie— The  Talk  of  the  Trackers. 

"Injun  Sign  " — translating  tlie  "  Sign.-- 

The  Steed  Lazoed— The  "  Indios  Bravon  " 

The  War  Trail— The  Writing  on  tlie  Mafcumy 

The  Southern  Savage. 

A  Subterranean  Fire— A  Red  Epistle. 

More  Writing  in  Red. 

An  Injun  on  the  Bact  Track. 

Capturing  a  Comanche — "  Painting:  Icju* 

Tlie  Last  Hours  on  the  IfraU, 

The  Comanche  Camp — No  Cover. 

Rube  Consulting  his  OracJe. 

The  Trapper's  Counsel. 

Taking  to  the  Water— Up  Stream. 

Coup  d'oeil  of  the  Camp. 

A  Friendly  Encounter — Spy  la  Votiasel. 

The  Council  in  Session. 

The  Renegade  Claims  his  CapUy^*. 

Speeches  in  Council. 

A  Rough  Courtship— The  CrisH. 

The  Latit  Gallop— Conclusion. 


Address  all  Orders  to 

ROBERT   M.   DEWITT,   Publisher, 

i6o  &  162  Nafsau  Street,  N.  Y. 

W.   n.  TureOH,  rUnter  and  Stereotyper,  Rear  of  43  and  4S  Csntie  St.,  N. 


---'— 1) 


I  j  IPF"  Copies  mailed  to  any  dtgtanee,  free  of  po  •tag'e^  on  re  '.elpt  of  price. 

THE  LAST  GREAT  BOOK  OF  A  GREAT  SERIES! 


CAPTAIN  MAYNE  REID'S  LAST  WORK. 

OSCEOLA  THE   SEMINOLE; 

OR.  THE  RED  FAWU  OF  THE  FLOWER  LAND. 

BY  CAPTAIN  MAY'NE  REID,  . 

AUTHOR  OF  "  THE  SCALP  HUNTERS,"  "  RIFLE    RANQBRS,"  "  WHITE  CHIEF,"  "  HUNTER'S  FEAST." 
♦•quadroon,"  "  THE   WAR  TRAIL,"  etc.,  etC. 

Coataining  nearly  50(1  pages,  hansomely  embellished  with  original  designs,  engraved  in 
the  highest  style  of  the  art,  by  N.  Orr,  Esq.    Frice  $1  25. 

The  Historical  Novel  has  ever  maintained  a  high  rank— perhaps  the  highest— among 
works  of  Action,  for  the  reason  that  while  it  enchants  the  senses,  it  improves  the  mind, 
conveying  under  a  most  pleasing  form  much  information  which,  perhaps,  the  reader 
would  never  have  sought  for  amid  the  dry  records  of  the  purely  historic  narrative. 

This  fact  being  conceded,  it  needs  but  little  argument  to  prove  that  those  works  are 
most  interesting  which  treat  of  the  facts  and  incidents  pertaining  to  our  own  history,  and 
of  a  date  which  is  yet  fresh  in  the  memory  of  the  reader.  :,  ,     ,. 

To  this  class  of  books  preeminently  belongs  the  volume  which  is  here  submitted  to  the 
American  reader,  from  the  pen  of  a  writer  who  has  proved  himself  uusurpassed  in  the  field 
which  he  has,  by  his  various  works,  made  peculiarly  his  own. 

The  brief  but  heroic  struggle  of  the  celebrated  Chief,  Osceola,  forms  the  groundwork  of 
a  narratiie  which  is  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  any  of  Mr.  Reid's  former  productions  ;  and 
while  the  reader's  patriotism  cannot  fail  to  be  gratified  at  the  result,  his  sympathy  is  at 
the  same  time,  awakened  for  tlie  manly  struggles  and  untimely  fate  of  the  gallant  spirit, 
who  fought  so  nobly  for  the  freedom  of  his  red  brethren  and  the  preservation  of  their 
cherished  hunting-grounds. 

CONTENTS  . 

My  Sister's  Spirit.— Asking  an  Explanation. 


The  Flowery  Land.— The  Indigo  Plantation. 

The  Two  Jakes.— The  Hommock. 

Yellow  Jake.— The  Alligator. 

The  Turtle-Crawl.— The  King  Vultures. 

The  Bath.— The  "  Half-blood. 

The  Chase.— A  Severe  Senteuce. 

The  Chase.— Ringgold's  Revenge. 

Maumee.— The  Island. 

West  Point.— The  Seminoles. 

An  Indian  Hero. 

Frontier  Justice.— Indian  Slaves. 

A  Circuitous  Transaction. 

Reflections  by  the  Way. 

A  Strange  Apparition. 

Who  Fired  the  Shot  T— A  Frontier  Fort. 

The  Council.— The  Rising  Sun. 

The  Ultimatum  -Talk  over  the  Table. 

The  Traitor  Chiefs.— Shadows  in  the  Water. 

Uaj-Ewa.— A  pretty  Plot. 

Light  and  Darkness.— In  Need  of  a  Friend. 

The  Final  Assembly.— Cashiering  the  Cldefs. 

The  Signature  of  Osceola. 

Fighting  Ga/lagher.— Provoking  a  Duel. 

The  Challenge.— The  Assignation. 

An  Eclaircissement.— Two  Duels  in  One  Day. 

A  Silent  Declaration. 

Tlie  Captive.- The  War-cry. 

War  to  the  Knife. 

Tracing  a  Strange  Horseman. 

Who  was  the  Rider.— Cold  Cmirtosy. 

Address  all  Orders  to 


The  Volunteers.— Mysterious  Changes, 

My  Informant.— Old  Hickman. 

A  Hasty  Messenger.— A  Lover's  Gift. 

The  Route.— A  Knock  on  the  Head. 

An  Indian  Executioner. 

A  Banquet  with  a  Bad  Ending. 

"Dade's  Massacre."— The  Battle-ground, 

The  Battle  of  "  Ouithlacooehee." 

A  Victory  Ending  in  a  Retreat. 

Another  Swamp  Fight.— The  Talk. 

Mysterioue  Disappearance  of  an  Army. 

The  Condition  of  Black  Jake. 

A  Sad  Spectacle.— To  the  Trail. 

The  Alarm.- A  False  Alarm. 

"  A  Split  Trail."— Crossing  the  Savanna. 

Groping  Among  the  Timber. 

Signal  Shots.— An  Empty  Camp. 

A  Dead  Forest.— A  Circular  Conflict. 

A  Dead  Shot  by  Jake. 

A  Meagre  Meal.— A  Bullet  from  Behind. 

A  Jury  Amid  the  Fire. 

Quick  Executioners. 

An  Kneiny  Unlooked  For. 

A  Conflict  in  Darkness. 

The  Black  Plumes.— Buried  Alive. 

Devils  or  Angels. 

The  End  of  Arens  Ringgold. 

The  Death  Warning. 

Osceola's  Fate.— Conclusion. 


ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT,  Publisher, 

l6o  &   162  Nafsau  Street,  N.  Y. 

W.  H.  TiN»on,  Trintor  and  Slereotypor,  rear  of  43  A  46  Centre  St.,  N.  Y. 


Copiea  maiUd  to  anu  dtslance^  free  of  poatag-ef  on  receipt  of 


MAYNE  REID'S   MEXICAN   ADVENl-UBES. 


THE  WHITE  CHIEF. 

A  lEQEND  OF  NORTH  MEXICO. 

BY    CAPTAIN   MAYNE   EEID. 

AUTHOR  OF   "UIFLB   RANGERS,"   "  SCALP  HDNTER3,"   "  HUNTERS'   FEAST,"   ETC.,   KTO. 

One  Vol.,  12mo.     Beautifully  Illustrated.      Cloth,  Price  $1  25. 

This  is  another  of  those  popular  works  of  adventure  which  have  talien  such  a  hold  of 
the  American  public— adapted  as  they  are  to  rouse  all  that  feeling  of  enthusiasm  aud 
tJiirst  for  bold  deeds  which  seems  to  be  inherent  in  the  breasts  of  our  people.  Few  writers 
have  risen  to  such  popularity  iu  so  short  a  time.  The  "  Scalp  Hunters,"  "  Rifle  Rangers,*' 
"  Hunter's  Feast,"  and  "  White  Chief,"  form  a  library  in  themselves,  for  they  contain 
not  only  thrilling  narratives  of  Wild  Wood  Life,  but  are  full  of  information  as  to  the  habits 
and  uatui-al  history  of  the  denizens  of  the  woods  and  forests,  lakes  and  streams,  be  they 
four-lesged  or  two-legged,  or  no  legs  at  all.     We  subjoin  a  brief  synopsis  of  the 


CONTENTS. 


The  Valley  of  San  Ildefonso 

Religious  Festivals. 

"Tailing  the  Bull." 

Sports  Resumed. 

The  Taunt. 

Bitter  Hate. 

Fearful  Spectacle. 

Rosita  and  Don  Juan. 

Evening  on  a  Feast-Day. 

The  "Staked  Plain." 

Antonio,  tlie  Half-Blood. 

The  BufTalo  Hunt. 

Alarm  in  the  Goral. 

Suspicion  Aroused. 

New  Fears. 

Tlie  Mystery. 

The  Signal. 

The  Scene  Changes. 

The  Tete-a-Tete. 

Tlie  Lonely  House. 

Maternal  Solicitude. 

The  Cup  of  Water. 

The  Arrival. 

Vizcarra  Seeks  the  Wine  Cup. 

Force  Resolved  Upon. 

Trouble  Ahead. 

Return  of  Carlos. 

The  Brother  and  Lover. 

The  Wolf-Dog  Cibole. 

Guilty  Conscience. 

Tlie  Dreara. 

The  Consultation. 

A  Wily  Counsellor. 

Suspense. 

The  Town  in  an  Uproar. 

Address  all  Orders  to 


Death  of  Garcia. 

Crafty  Plottings. 

Carlos  Escapes. 

Robhul.i's  Expedition. 

Morning  Prayeis. 

Vizcarra  Plots  Vengeance. 

Don  Ainorosio  de  Cruces. 

Catalina. 

Jlidniglit. 

The  Crouching  Serpent. 

The  Explanation. 

Carlos  in  Peril. 

Fresh  Rumors. 

The  Trap  Falls. 

Joaquin  the  Priest. 

The  Buffalo  Hunters. 

The  Man-Hunters  Start  for  their  Pre*. 

Tlie  Cave. 

Night. 

The  Suspicious  Trail. 

Carlos  Returns. 

The  Wour  led  Friend. 

The  Ambuscade. 

The  Cactus  Thicket. 

A  Mystery. 

Consternation  of  Pepe. 

The  Scene  Changes. 

The  Prisoner. 

The  Piazza. 

The  Resolve. 

The  Banquet. 

Tlie  Guard  Relieved. 

Miiliiiglit  Carousings. 

Carlos'  Return. 


ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT,  Publisher, 
160  &  162  Nafsau  Street    N 

W.  H.  T1N8ON,  Printemnd  St«reotyper,  Rear  of  43  &  46  Centre  St.,  N.  Y, 


QtT  Capita  mailed  to  any  distance. 

free  of  postage,  on  receipt  of  prietm 

THE    QU. 

iDEOON; 

OE,  A  LOVER'S  ADVENTITEES  IN  LOIIISIANA. 

BY    CAPTAIN 

MAYNE    REID. 

AUTHOR   or   "  RIFLE   RANGERS,"   "  THB  WHITE  CHIEF,"   "  HDNTERS'   FEAST,"   ETC.,  BM, 

With    Beautiful    Original   Designs,    Handsomely    Bound   in    cloth, 

Price  $1  25. 

Ahother  spirited  and  brilliant  romance,  q 

uite  equal  in  stirring  interest,  graphic  des- 
pivid  portraitures  of  character,  to  anything 

*riptions  of  natural  scenery,  and  truthful, 

4he  Captain  has  yet  written,  and  little  more 

need  be  said  iu  its  favor. 

There  is  a  charm  pervading  these  books  which  is  to  be  found  in  few  others— and  it  lies      1 

In  that  off-hand,  dashing  style  with  which  tht 

author  carries  his  reader  ulon?  with  him. 

through  all  sorts  of  perils,  verging  on  the  very  brink  of  destruction,  but  invariably,  by 

Bome  happy  chance,  landing  him  safe  on  terra Jirma.    Of  course,  this  is  easily  effected  ia 

a  novel,  and  is  wUat  every  writer  aims  at ;  but,  with  most  of  them,  the  reader  can  never 

lose  siglit  of  the  fact  that  ha  is  reading,  while  in  Mayne  Reid's  books  the  narration  is  so 

blended  with  the  action  that  we  lose  our  identity,  as  it  were,  and  all  our  faculties  are 

absorbed  by  the  scene  bofore  us,  until  we  fee 

as  if  ire  ourselves  were  the  participants  in 

the  fight  or  foray  he  is  describing.    We  subjo 

in  a  brief  synopsis  of  the 

CONTENTS.                                                                  1 

The  Father  of  Waters. 

The  Letter-The  Wharf-Boat. 

Six  Months  in  the  Crescent  City. 

The  Norway  Rat— The  Huma. 

The  "  Belle  of  the  West." 

Jealousy. 

The  Uival  Beats. 

A  Scientific  Julep. 

A  Desirable  Fellow  Passenger. 

A  Game  of  AVhist. 

Antoine,  the  Steward. 

The  Game  interrupted. 

The  Starting. 

The  Sportsmen  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  "  Coast  "  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  City. 

Eug6nie  Besancon. 

Tente  Importante  De  Negres. 

A  New  Mode  of  Raising  the  Steam. 

Brown  and  Co. 

A  Boat-Race  upon  the  Mississi|ipi. 

Eugfene  d'llauteville. 

The  Life-I'reserver — Wounded. 

Pity  for  Love. 

Where  am  I  ?— "  Ole  Zip." 

On  Games  and  Gambling. 

M.  Dominique  Gayarre. 

The  Faro  Bank. 

"  Aurore." 

The  Watch  and  Ring. 

The  Creole  and  Quadroon. 

My  Forlorn  Hope. 

A  Louisiana  Landscape. 

The  Rotundo. 

iSIy  .Journal. 

The  Slave  Mart. 

A  Cliange  of  Quarters. 

Bidding  for  my  Betrothed. 

Aurore  Loves  Me. 

The  Uackney-Carriage. 

A  Surprise— A  Rival 

To  Bringiers— Two  Villians. 

An  Hour  of  Bliss.     . 

The  Pawpaw  Thicket* 

The  "  Nigger  Quarter." 

The  Elopement. 

Tlie  Devil's  Douche. 

The  Lost  Mustangs. 

Gayarre  and  "  Bully  BilL" 

A  Night  in  the  Woods. 

"  She  Iioves  Thee." 

Love's  Vengeance. 

Tlioughts— Dreams. 

Hounds  on  out  Trail— The  Signal. 

Stung  by  a  Snake. 

The  Sleuth  Hounds. 

The  Runaway. 

Tl>e  Man-IIunter— Shot  for  Shot. 

Gabriel  the  Bambarra. 

Love  in  the  Hour  of  Peril. 

The  Snake- Doctor. 

A  Terrible  Fate. 

Cliarming  the  Rattlesnake. 

The  Sentence  of  Judge  Lynch, 

Killing  a  Trail.— The  Pirogue. 

In  the  Hands  of  the  Sheritt 

The  Troe-Cavorn.— Hotel  Gossip. 

I'he  Crisis. 

Address  all  Orders  to 

ROBERT   M.   DEWITT,   Publisher, 

i6o  &  162  Nafsau  Street,  N.  Y 

W.  H.  TiNsow,  Printer  and  Sl«rootypor,  User  of  43  A  46  Contro  St.,  N.  Y. 


THE 


SCALP    HUNTEES; 

OR.  ADVENTURES  AMONG  THE  TRAPPERS, 

BY   CAPTAIN  MAYNE   REID, 

ACTTHOa  OF  "BIFLK  RANQKBS,"   "THE  WHITE  CHIEF,"  "  HUNTEBS'   FEAST,"   ETC.,   ETC. 

One  volume^  12mo.,  Beautifully  Illustratea.     Cloth,  Price  $1  25. 


So  marked  was  the  success  of  the  "  Rifle  Rakgers,"  both  m  this  country  and  la 
Eujope,  that  the  author  was  induced  to  publish  at  an  early  day,  the  volume  whose  title 
heads  this  page ;  a  work  of  more  thrilling  adventure,  bolder  incident,  and  glowing descrip- 
iion  than  had  ever  before  appeared  in  the  same  field  of  literature.  These  two  books 
speedily  achieved  a  high  reputation  for  the  writer,  which  he  has  sedulously  striven  to 
enhance  by  the  pubUcation  of  several  other  works  of  a  somewhat  kindred  character.  In 
nil  of  these  volumes  has  the  powerful  descriptive  faculty  of  the  author  stood  out  in  bold 
relief,  and  marked  him  as  the  De  Fob  of  America.  The  Publishers  are  happy  to  say  that 
having  secured  the  right  to  publish  all  of  this  series,  they  are  enabled  to  offer  to  the 
public  a  collection  of  volumes,  which  in  point  of  intense  interest,  are  not  only  unsur- 
passed, but  seldom  equalled.    A  brief  Synopsis  of  Contents  will  be  found  below. 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter 

I.  The  Wild  West. 
II.  The  Prairie  Merchants. 
III.  Tbe  "  Prairie  Fever." 
IV.  Ride  upon  a  Buffalo  BuU. 
V.  In  a  Bad  "  Fix." 
VI.  Santa  Fe. 
VII.  The  Fandango. 
VIII.  Seguin,  the  Scalp-Uuntot. 
IX.  Left  Behind. 
X.  The  Del  Norte. 
XI.  The  "Journey  of  Dealli.'' 
XII.  Zoe. 

XIII.  Seguin. 

XIV.  Love. 

XV.  Liglit  and  Shade. 
XVI.  An  Autobio^i-apliy 
XVII.  Up  the  Del  Norte, 
XVIII.  Geography  and  Geology. 
XIX.  The  Scalp-Hunters. 
XX.  Sharp-Shooting. 
XXI.  A  Feat  a  la  TeU. 
XXII.  A  Feat  a  la  Tail. 
XXIII.  T!ie  Programme. 
X.XIV.  El  Sol  and  La  Luna. 
XXV.  The  War-Trail. 
XXVI.  Three  Days  in  the  Trap. 
XXVII.  The  Digg^ii-s. 
XXVIII.  Dacoma. 
XXIX.  A  Dinner  with  two  Dishes. 


XXXI. 

XXXII. 

XXXIII. 

XXXIV. 

XXXV. 

XXXVI. 

XXXVII. 

XXXVIII. 

XXXIX. 

XL. 

XLI. 

XLII. 

XLIII. 

XLIV. 

XLV. 

XLVI. 

XLVII. 

XL  VIII. 

XLIX. 

L. 

LI. 

LII. 

LIII. 

LIV. 

LV. 

LVI. 

LVII. 


Blinding  the  Pursuer— A  Trap- 
per's Ruse. 
A  Buffalo  "  Surround." 
Another  "  Coup." 
A  Bitter  Tap. 
The  Phantom  City. 
The  Slountain  of  Gold. 
Nava.ioa. 

The  Night  Ambuscade. 
Adele. 

The  White  Scalp. 
The  Canon  Fight. 
The  Barranca. 
Tbe  Foe. 
New  Misery. 
Tlie  Flag  of  Truce. 
A  Vexed  Treaty. 
A  Conflict  with  closed  Doors. 
A  Queer  Encounter  in  a  Cavr. 
Smoked  Out. 

A  Novel  Mode  of  Equation. 
A  Fast  Dye. 

Astonishing  the  Natives. 
Running  a  Muck. 
A  Conflict  upon  a  CliSf. 
An  Unexpected  Rencontre. 
The  Rescue. 
El  Paso  Del  Norte. 
Touching  the  Chords  of  Memory. 


|jj^~  Tho  above  work  will  be  forwarded  by  Mail,  free  of  postage,  oa 
rceeipt  of  price. 

ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT,  Publi'sher, 

160  &  102  NASSAU  STREET,  N.  Y. 


W    II.  TINSON,  Printer  &  Slcreotyper,  24  Be. 


fSr  Capita  mailed  to  oHt/  ttlstance.  free  of  postag-e^  oh  receipt  of  prie*, 

MAYNE  KEID'S  HUNTING  AND  TRAPPING  ADVENTTJSES. 

THE  HUNTERS"  FEAST: 


COIiVERSATIONS  AROUND  THE  CAMP-FIRE. 

BY  CAPT.  MAYXE  REID, 

AUTHOR  or   "the   BIFLB  BANGERS,"    "TUB   SCALP   HO»TERS,"  ETC. 

Beautifully  Illustrated  with  Engravin(js  by  N.  Orr.     Price  $1  25. 


Wb  venture  to  aay  that  there  is  no  book  extant  which  gives  such  a  thrilling  and  yet 
truthful  narrative  of  the  stirring  and  perilous  life  of  a  Trapper,  as  does  the  deeply 
Interesting  and  instructive  volume  before  us.  The  author,  whose  powers  of  description 
are  well  linown  to  t)ie  American  reader  through  the  medium  of  his  "Kifle  Rangers," 
etc.,  has  most  admirably  blended  restruction  with  amusement,  for,  while  "Ike,  thb 
Wolf-Killer,"  cheers  the  Camp-Fire  with  his  never-failing  anecdotes,  the  Ugntes-Natu- 
RALisT  talies  every  occasion  to  inform  the  delighted  auditory  of  the  habits,  haunts  and 
characteristics  of  the  animal  under  discussion,  and  this  he  does  in  a  manner  which  ca  i- 
not  fail  to  fix  the  information  in  the  memory  of  the  reader.  The  following  Synopsis  of 
Contents  may  serve  to  give  some  idea  of  the  adventures  to  be  met  with  in  this  extraordi- 
nary worlJ. 


C  O  NT 

A  Hunting  Party. 
fhe  Carap  and  i 'lamp-Fire. 
Besan^on's  Adventures  in  the  Swamps. 
The  Passenger  Pigeons. 
Hunt  witli  a  Howitzer. 
Ei'.liug  a  Cougar. 
The  Cougar. 
Old  Ike's  Adventure. 
The  Musquash. 
A  Rat-Hunt. 

Mosquitoes  and  thdir  Antidote. 
The  'Coon  and  his  Habits. 
•A  'Coon  Chase. 
Wild  Hogs  of  the  Woods. 
Treed  by  Peccaries. 
A  Ducli-Shooting  Adventure. 
II  anting  tlie  Vicuna. 
A  Chacu  of  Vicunas. 
Squirrel  Shooting. 
Treeing  a  Bear. 

Addicss  all  Orders  to 

ROBERT  M.  DE  WITT,  Publisher, 

1 60  &  i6z  Nafsau  Street,  N.  Y 

\r.  H.  TiNiioN,  Prlulor  ami  St«rcotyper,  Reiir  of  «  A  45  Contra  SI.,  N.  Y. 


E  N  TS. 

The  Black  Bear  of  America. 

The  Trapper  Trapped. 

The  American  Deer. 

Deer-Huut  in  a  "  Dug-Out." 

Old  Ike  and  the  Grizzly. 

A  Battle  with  Grizzly  Bears. 

The  Swans  of  America. 

Hunting  the  Moose. 

Tike  Prairie  Wolf  and  ^Volf  Killer. 

Hunting  the  Tapir. 

Adventure  with  a  Bulfalo. 

The  Bison. 

Tralliu.k'  tlie  BulTalo. 

Appro:ioliing  the  Bulfalo. 

Uncxi)ected  Guest.^. 

A  Supper  of  Wolf-MuHon, 

Hare  Hunting  and  Cricket- Driving. 

A  Grand  Battue. 

The  Route  Home. 


Copies  jnaitedi  postage  paid^  on,  receipt  of  price, 

VALUABLE  HAND-BOOKS  OF  GAMES. 

Price    3S   Cents   each. 


/f 


mA 


I 


MORPHY'S  MATCH  GAMES; 

Jeing  afull  and  accurate  account  of  his  most  astounding  successes  abroad,  defeating, 
in  almost  every  instance, 
I     THE   CHESS   CEIiEBKITIES   OF   EUKOPE. 

Edited,  with  copious  and  valuable  Notes, 
y    CHARLES    HENRY    ST.i^IN"  L  E  Y, 

AUTHOR  OP   "  THE   CHESS  PLAYER'S  INSTRUCTOR." 

This  valuable  acquisition  to  Chess  LiteratMre  contains  a  SPLENDID  POETEAIT 
OF  PAUL  MORPHY,  tlie  Chess  Champion  of  the  World,  engraved  on  steel,  in 
the  highest  style  of  modern  art,  by  J.  C.  Buttre,  Esq.,  being  an  accurate  and  most  per- 
fect transfer  of  one  of  Brady's  most  successful  Photographs,  together  with  a  fac-simile 
of  MR.  MORPHYS  AUTOGRAPH. 

ELEMENTS  OF   DRAUGHTS; 

Or,  BEGINNER'S  SURE  GUIDE : 

Containing  a  thorough  and  minute  exposition  of 

EVERY     PRINCIPLE,     SEPARATELY     EXPLAINED- 

TOGETHER  WITH  MODEL   GAMES   ILLUSTRATIVE    OF  ALC   THE   OPENINGS. 

Illustrated  with  Diagrams  exhibiting  critical  positions  to  be  won  or  drawn  by  scientific 
play. 

BY  I.  D.  J.  SWEET, 

draught  editor  of  "the  new  YORK  CUPPER," 


CHESS-PLAYER' S   INSTRUCTOR ; 

Or-,   GrTJIDE   TO   BEGMISJISTERS : 

CONTAINING  ALL  THE  INFORMATION  NECESSARY  TO 

ACQUIRE    A    KNOWLEDGE    OF    THE    GAME. 

With  Diagrams  Illustrative  of  the  Various  Movements  of  the  Pieces. 
BY    CHARLES    HENRY     STANLEY. 

The  above  boolvs  are  splendidly  got  up,  and  bound  in  flexible  muslin— their  price 
places  them  wUhin  the  reach  of  all. 

ROBERT    M.  DE  WITT,  Publisher, 

1 60  and  162  Nassau  Street,  New  York. 

W.  H.  TiNsON,  Printer  and  Stereotyper,  43  &  45  Centre  Street,  N.  Y. 


CHEAT  NATIONAL  WORK. 
OFF-HAND  TAKINGS;    0R,    CRAYON   SKETCHES 

OP  THE  NOTICEABLE  MEN  OP  OUR  AQ1\ 

BY  GEORGE  W.  BUNGAY. 

£m,beUii}ud  with  Ninetoen  Portraits  on  Steel.  Elegantly  hound  in  cloth.  Pria«  $1  60. 

This  Is  a  work  that  should  be  in  the  hands  of  erery  Atierican  who  is  proud  of  hli 
country,  and  of  the  men  who  have  helped  to  render  that  country  honored  abroad  by 
their  contributions  in  Literature,  Science,  Commerce  op  Arts.  Thoagh  some  of  the  per- 
sons in  the  following  list  are  handled  pretty  roughly,  still,  we  think  uost  person*  will  allow 
that  the  hard  treatment  they  get  is  deserved. 

The  Book  is  well  printed  on  beautiful  paper,  embellished  with  Nineteen  Portraits,  en- 
graved on  Steel,  in  the  finest  style  of  the  art. 


Daniel  Webster. 

Henry  Clay. 

Edwin  H.  Chapin  (portrait) 

John  Charles  Fremont. 

G.  P.  Morris  and  N.  P.  Willis. 

Wm.  H.  Seward  (portrait). 

Edw.  Everett  (portrait). 

John  P.  Hale  (portrait). 

Father  Taylor. 

John  C.  Calhoun. 

Lewis  Cass. 

Charles  C.  Burleigh. 

H.  AVard  Beecher  (portrait). 

Abbot  Lawrence. 

Ralph  Walde  Emerson. 

J.  Van  Buren  (portrait). 

John  Greenleaf  Whittier. 

Washington  Irving. 

G.  W.  Bethune. 

E.  P.  Whipple. 

G.  C.  Hebbe  (portrait). 

Kufus  Choate. 

Horace  Mann. 

Ur.  Board:nan. 


CONTENTS. 
Solon  Robinson  (portrait.) 
John  Koss  Dix. 
P.  T.  Barnum  (portrait). 
Br.  E.  Kane. 
Nathaniel  Hawthorne. 
Samuel  P.  B.  Morse. 
Geo.  W.  Kendall. 
Saml.  Houston  (pcrtrait). 
Pierre  Soul  6. 
W.  Thackeray. 
John  Pierpont. 
Horace  Greeley  (portraH). 
George  N.  Brigga. 
Theodore  Parker. 
Neal  Dow  (portrait). 
Philip  S.  Wliite. 
Ch;irleg  Sumner. 
Ogden  HolTman  (portrait). 
Tliomas  Francis  Meagher. 
Wendell  Pliilips. 
Elilm  Burritt. 
Wm.  C.  B.vrant  (portrait) 
Daniel  S.  Dickinson. 
General  Winlield  Scott. 


Gerrit  Smith  (portrait). 

Edward  Beecher. 

Thos.  U.  Benton  (portrait). 

Wm.  L.  Marcy. 

Alfred  Bunn. 

Peter  Cartwright. 

Anson  Burlingame. 

Gecrge  Law  (portrait). 

Dr.  J.  W.  Francis. 

Dr.  S.  H.  Cox. 

Freeman  Hunt. 

B.  P.  Shillaber. 

Bishop  James. 

Rev.  Mr.  Wadsworth. 

Rev.  Dr.  Durbin. 

S.  A.  Douglas  (portrait). 

W.  Gilmoi  e  Simms, 

James  Gordon  Bennett. 

Caleb  Gushing. 

James  Watson  Webb. 

Dr.  Duffleld. 

J.  R.  Lowell. 

John  Mitchel  (portrait). 

And  others. 


OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 
Tlie  following  very  brief  extracts   from  extended  notices   of  the  book   by  leadinf 
papers,  will  give  the  public  some  idea  of  the  estimation  placed  upon  it. 
Fro?n  The  Commonwealth,  Boston. 
"  Tlie  book  will  sell— it  will  be  read— it  will  liave  a  wide  i)opularity.    It  is  written  in  tha 
right  way  for  it,  and  if  tlie  author  don't  get  his  10,01)0  from  it  we  very  njuch  mistake 
figures.    He  writes  like  a  man  who  is  fully  wide  awake  ;  hi?  portraits  sparkle  with  vitality. 
The  engravings  are  superb,  and  the  letter  press  excellent;  the  binding  gala-ish.    Get  the 
book  if  you  want  one  that  will  take  your  a'm  and  be  an  agreeable  companion." 
Prom  "Pie  Christian  Freeman,  Boston. 
"  He  never  allsws  anything  like  dulness  to  flow  from  his  pen.    His  descriptions  *.re 
pr.apliic  and  to  the  life.    Every  sketch  might  be  termed  a  master  portrait.    He  writes 
with  an  independent,  fearless  pen,  without  fear  or  favor." 
From  Tlie  Boston  Trarcller. 
"Written  in  a  spiiited  and  oll-liand  style,  presenting  well-drawn  and  charaeteristio 
portraits." 

From  Tlie.  Ni^r^ort  2^,'ivit,  R.  I. 
"The  portraits  are  dashed  off  with  a  free  and  easy  pencil,  and  are   uncoinmocly 
natural  and  life-like." 

From  TliejE<,ii-i,  Woroexter,  Mass, 
Every  one  who  desires  a  knowledge  of  eminent  living  men,  should  have  this  volume." 
We  could  flu  a  volume  with  the  encomiums  .already  received  (although  all  parU  of  th« 
country  have  not  been  heard  from),  but  we  think  we  do  not  err  in  saying  that  a  more  at- 
tractive book,  both  in  interior  and  exterior,  has  nevi-r  been  offered  to  the  public. 
ROBURT   m.   DE  WITT,   Piiblislicr, 

160  &  162  Nassau  Strkbt,  N.  Y. 


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